The UK government has expressed concern over a new extradition law between Hong Kong and China, as British lawmakers warned the move could see pro-democracy activists, journalists, and foreign business owners surrendered to Chinese authorities.
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he had "formally lodged our initial concerns" with the Hong Kong government, he said in a letter to Chris Patten, the city's last colonial governor. "We have made it clear to the Chinese and Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions that it is vital that Hong Kong enjoys, and is seen to enjoy, the full measure of its high degree of autonomy and rule of law as set out in the Joint Declaration and enshrined in the Basic Law. ... I can assure you that I, and my department, will continue to closely monitor developments in Hong Kong," Hunt said, according to a copy of the letter Patten shared with UK-based pressure group Hong Kong Watch.
