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<p>We have noted the concerns voiced by legal and business representative organisations
and civil society groups in Hong Kong about both the content and the short consultation
period allowed for the proposed changes to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the
Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance.</p><p>We have raised a number
of issues relating to the proposals with the Hong Kong Government at senior levels.
These include potential implications for both our joint security cooperation and our
bilateral extradition treaty and the potential consequences for the UK business community
and for UK citizens living in or travelling through Hong Kong. We will continue to
seek clarity from the authorities on these points.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary and
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland, issued a Joint Statement
on 30 May, which noted concern for the potential effect of the proposals on the large
number of UK and Canadian citizens in Hong Kong, on business confidence and on Hong
Kong’s international reputation. They made clear that any extradition arrangements
in Hong Kong should be in line with ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and fully respect Hong
Kong’s high degree of autonomy. They also urged the Hong Kong Government to engage
meaningfully with Hong Kong’s broad range of local and international stakeholders
in order to ensure their concerns are fully considered.</p><p> </p>
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