U.S. and Hong Kong suspend crime treaties
The United States has suspended or terminated three bilateral agreements with Hong Kong that deal with criminal issues, such as extradition of fugitives.
The State Department says it's a response to China's implementation of its sweeping new national security law in Hong Kong, and follows similar moves from Australia, Canada, and the UK.
Hong Kong immediately reciprocated to the U.S., suspending an agreement on mutual legal assistance.
It calls the U.S. decision a "disrespect for bilateralism and multilateralism under the current administration."
The decision also follows President Donald Trump's order last month to end Hong Kong’s special status under U.S. law to punish China for what he called “oppressive actions” against the former British colony.
He signed an executive order that he said would end the preferential economic treatment for the city.
The Chinese security law punishes anything China considers secession, subversion, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces, with up to life in prison.
Beijing and the Hong Kong government have defended the law as necessary to restore order and preserve prosperity after months of at times violent anti-government protests last year.
