Angering China, Australia suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong, extends visas

By Kirsty Needham

 

FILE PHOTO: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during a state memorial honouring victims of the Australian bushfires at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, February 23, 2020. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia said on Thursday it was suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in response to a new security law imposed there and announced measures to attract businesses from the Asian financial hub, provoking an angry response from Beijing.

 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the law introduced last week in Hong Kong was a fundamental change of circumstances and Australia would suspend the extradition agreement.

 

"There will be citizens of Hong Kong who may be looking to move elsewhere, to start a new life somewhere else, to take their skills, their businesses," Morrison said, outlining changes to visa programmes.

 

Morrison said Hong Kong students, graduates and workers in Australia on temporary visas will have the opportunity to stay and work for an extra five years and apply for permanent residency after that time.

 

Future student visas would also be offered for five years, however Morrison said they were "not expecting large numbers of applicants any time soon".

 

Speaking in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Morrison's government should change course and stop interfering in Chinese affairs, warning that China, the biggest customer for Australian exports, reserved the right to take retaliatory action.

 

Two-way trade between the countries was worth A$235 billion last year. And the Chinese embassy in Canberra warned earlier that unless Australia stopped meddling "it will lead to nothing but lifting a rock only to hit its own feet".

 

WELCOMING TALENT

 

There are 10,000 Hong Kong citizens in Australia on student visas or temporary work visas, with a further 2,500 outside Australia and 1,250 applications on hand, according to the government. Hong Kong applicants would be prioritised under Australia's Global Talent Scheme and business visa programme.

 

"There is so much talent in Hong Kong," said Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge. "There are great businesses in Hong Kong. And we know that many individuals now might be looking elsewhere, because they do want to be in a freer country, they want to be in a democratic country."

 

Australia offered asylum to some 42,000 Chinese students who were in Australia after a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests Tiananmen Square in 1989.

 

Imposed after months of mass protests that sometimes resulted in violent clashes between police and pro-democracy supporters, Hong Kong's new security law punishes acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.

 

BUSINESS PITCH

 

Morrison also made a pitch for international financial services, consulting and media businesses with regional headquarters in Hong Kong to relocate to Australia, saying his government would proactively encourage that.

 

He said measures would be accommodated within Australia's existing caps on permanent resident visas, and Hong Kong citizens could also apply to the humanitarian and refugee visa programme.

 

Hong Kong student Dennis Chan, who attends university in New South Wales and is a spokesman for community group Australia-Hong Kong Link, welcomed the stance taken by Australia.

 

But, he said some graduates were worried they weren't covered, as many had returned to Hong Kong and were on bridging visas, unable to return to Australia because of COVID-19.

 

"People who protested in Hong Kong are facing difficulties leaving Hong Kong to come to Australia," he told Reuters.

 

Australia changed its travel advisory for Hong Kong, where around 100,000 Australians live and work, to say "reconsider your need to remain in Hong Kong" if they are concerned about the new law.

 

Canada last week announced it would suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in the wake of the legislation and could boost immigration from the former British colony.

 

New Zealand said it was also reviewing its relations with Hong Kong, and would review extradition arrangements, controls on exports of strategic goods and travel advice.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-09

 

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10 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

There are 10,000 Hong Kong citizens in Australia on student visas or temporary work visas, with a further 2,500 outside Australia and 1,250 applications on hand, according to the government. Hong Kong applicants would be prioritised under Australia's Global Talent Scheme and business visa programme.

 

"There is so much talent in Hong Kong," said Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge. "There are great businesses in Hong Kong. And we know that many individuals now might be looking elsewhere, because they do want to be in a freer country, they want to be in a democratic country

Does he mean that Australia does not have the home grown talent.

Suspends treaty, extends visas ????????????

 

Politicians do actually think that they'll decide what others will do ????

 

Regarding the treaty, people have been doing their things and find a place to stay and hide in both countries.

 

Regarding the visas, people have been staying there anyway, by the hundreds way longer than expected.

Credit where credit is due. Good work by the Australian government. 

1 hour ago, GreasyFingers said:

Does he mean that Australia does not have the home grown talent.

Australia has skills shortages A component for successful application will be to match up with identified skills shortages within Australia.  Also Australia requires foreign investment funds, it will interesting to see if PRC will permit H.K. citizens transfer of funds by those seeking residency and opportunity in Oz. 

Edited July 9, 20205 yr by simple1

1 hour ago, A1Str8 said:

Suspends treaty, extends visas ????????????

 

Politicians do actually think that they'll decide what others will do ????

 

Regarding the treaty, people have been doing their things and find a place to stay and hide in both countries.

 

Regarding the visas, people have been staying there anyway, by the hundreds way longer than expected.

So you're saying suspending the treaty and changing visa regulations are not a good initiative?

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Speaking in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Morrison's government should change course and stop interfering in Chinese affairs, warning that China, the biggest customer for Australian exports, reserved the right to take retaliatory action.

And this is already happening .... the days of Australia getting millions of dollars in trade exports from China are gone unfortunately. And this is another reason why Australia should think long & hard about putting a US base in the NT or Darwin.  imo 

Tell China to get stuffed. They brought this pandemic on to the rest of the world by eating wildlife and their wet markets. They bully all the countries around the South China sea.

human rights and animal rights are to be deplored.

They are exploiting Africa.

I don't have much that I like about the country.

Send them back into the Communist hole whence they came.

the UK stands up to them Australia stands up to them and china tries to bully both of them.

why are other countries afraid of china being angry at them ? who bloody cares what they think. 

Only one way to deal with bullies, and kowtowing isn't it. China is facing numerous problems, they need friends not enemies. The country could implode, which would benefit no one. Why they're pursuing this aggressive expansionist policy is beyond me, probably to draw attention away from the internal problems. They're not alone, as the US BLM movement illustrates. In China it would be so much worse. 

10 hours ago, samran said:

Credit where credit is due. Good work by the Australian government. 

Indeed. Very unexpected, but good news.

Now please also protect the Students from Hong Kong studying in Australia, and the Australian students standing with Hong Kong, from the bullying of the Chinese students there.

The whole world should boycott China to show them who’s really the boss when it comes to their economy! 

covid and hk has now opened the eyes of many at long last to what the PRC is.its taken a long time but the emporer has no clothes. we can actually see what he is.so im sure the next step is threats trade being slashed and and and the bully having a tantrum basically,next step NO WAR,easy to tame this bully dont buy any thing from the PRC ,dead as a dodo and the party on its last legs.yes please go ahead with showing the world exactly what you are and moving factories and production out even quicker.bye bye hua wei,the generals maybe need to think again

5 minutes ago, car720 said:

Yes, next door to the port in Darwin that the Chinese already have.  Trouble is I don't know which ones would be noisier.

Do you not think that establishing a US naval base in Australia would constitute a major escalation and actually make matters worse? 

Good point and I've often considered this as it would be seen as taking sides. However, I think with the way China is moving forward more and more with authoritarianism around the region from the Spratly islands issue to the building of military bases on islands within the south china sea and taking over Hong Kong and other issues such as the tax on barley imports and wine and other produce from Australia and now where it wants to show it is flexing it's muscles .... these issues I think are slowly creeping into a pattern where in my opinion it's time for Australia to really think long and hard about being with the US and having that safety cushion just as a precaution or deterant is better suited. With economies as they are now, Australia is unlikely to see the old days of millions of $$ from China's through their import of goods, those days are gone. And what is Australia going to wait for ....  will they wait until there is an issue or an attack on the top end in 5, 10 or 20 years time and then ask for the US to help. If that's the case then the US may just say they're sorry but you were reluctant to support us several years ago so we don't have to capability to act immediately as we are a long way logistically from Darwin.

I think the government should place a small US base in the NT if at all possible so not to make a big deal from it and keep the word from the press. Then over time expand that base so the presence is eventually considered as a form of protection and or deterant  would be a better word.  imo

37 minutes ago, car720 said:

I think most people know that Australia must have immigration to survive the falling birth rate.  This sounds like he is trying to get skilled immigrants instead of just matress backs.

They have been talking for 30 years about importing skilled migrants. My point is that if our universities are good enough to train students from overseas, they should be able to train the locals. If there were no overseas students the universities would not be able to charge as much as they do, making them more accessible to local talent.

I am glad I completed mine in the 1970's when the costs were minimal because I am sure my parents could not afford to pay now.

Oh, now they're mad...ok!   I'll get my popcorn.

14 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

Does he mean that Australia does not have the home grown talent.

Perhaps asking him directly would provide the answer. A rhetorical question is nice, but...

13 hours ago, steven100 said:

And this is already happening .... the days of Australia getting millions of dollars in trade exports from China are gone unfortunately. And this is another reason why Australia should think long & hard about putting a US base in the NT or Darwin.  imo 

Those that laugh at your post, could benefit from researching the history of attacks upon Australia by another Asian country in the 1940s. History often repeats itself after generations have died off and the present occupants scoff that it couldn't happen in present day.

2 minutes ago, Benmart said:

Those that laugh at your post, could benefit from researching the history of attacks upon Australia by another Asian country in the 1940s. History often repeats itself after generations have died off and the present occupants scoff that it couldn't happen in present day.

You have not included the massive threat from Indonesia that was popular in the 1970's.

It is heartening to see the world waking up to the threat that China has/does/will pose to the entire world. 

China has a place in the global economy but must abandon their goal of comprehensive  global dominance by any means. 

 

 

AL countrys need closed bordens and no newer again keep in any chinese. all chineses need move out wery country were have and closed totally all borden and newer can go back any country. normal humans western countrys not need idiot chinese <deleted> destroy all .lot only problem whit chinese lot have criminal, mafia,thief,scammers,and other problems. only idiot country open bordens chinese <deleted>.

So refreshing to see a country with enough hutzpah to stand up to the CCP.

I go out of my way to purchase non-Chinese products.

1 hour ago, car720 said:

Yes, next door to the port in Darwin that the Chinese already have.  Trouble is I don't know which ones would be noisier.

Added to the Chinese control of that Port is the Western Australian airport they upgraded to international aircraft capacity

Australia has allowed the Chinese to have quite a significant  footprint  while "negotiating " with the the US establish a more significant military capacity .

The political game is confusing ! But so is a sport played on a circular field. lol

 

 

Scott Morrison should consult former PM Kevin Rudd on how to manage China. Business communities are holding their breathe on his China policies mirroring Trump.   

13 hours ago, steven100 said:

And this is already happening .... the days of Australia getting millions of dollars in trade exports from China are gone unfortunately. And this is another reason why Australia should think long & hard about putting a US base in the NT or Darwin.  imo 

Yes!

Stop thinking and get those US military bases. China understands military threat of encirclement.

Philippines is already doing this on Thitu Island in the South China Sea to allow US navy a port and runway access.  

 

11 hours ago, mr mr said:

why are other countries afraid of china being angry at them ? who bloody cares what they think. 

economic power, money to throw around. I do think all countries should stand up to China, alone one cannot do much but togeather a lot can be done.

Just now, Srikcir said:

Yes!

Stop thinking and get those US military bases. China understands military threat of encirclement.

Philippines is already doing this on Thitu Island in the South China Sea to allow US navy a port and runway access.  

 

China is already completly surrounded by American bases, have a look at John Pilgers doco. The Coming War on China, can see on you tub

I think one needs to respond on a econimic/buying level and also invest in technologie to combat the power of China. Regardless of what we think, it is China that is now becoming the leading superpower/economic power in the world. we do need to stand up to bullies 

 

My father had an adage: "Never do your enemy a small hurt" meaning basically don't bother with silly symbolic gestures which annoy the other party, if you want to have a fight do something worthwhile. 

This is a stupid symbolic move affecting how many (100?) criminals. Extradition treaties were signed in days when countries had respect for other party's law codes. Arrogant Western countries now think only their law codes are worth anything.

Australia should have done something worthwhile if its wanted to pick a fight....this is senseless provocation.

2 hours ago, stupidfarang said:

China is already completly surrounded by American bases, have a look at John Pilgers doco. The Coming War on China, can see on you tub

I think one needs to respond on a econimic/buying level and also invest in technologie to combat the power of China. Regardless of what we think, it is China that is now becoming the leading superpower/economic power in the world. we do need to stand up to bullies 

 

Oz recently announced increased defence spending of $270 billion for missiles, better over the horizon radar etc; positioning the spend as countering China's increased military capability. You could assume it's a political gesture to keep the US onside.

Edited July 10, 20205 yr by simple1

6 hours ago, yuyiinthesky said:

Indeed. Very unexpected, but good news.

Now please also protect the Students from Hong Kong studying in Australia, and the Australian students standing with Hong Kong, from the bullying of the Chinese students there.

H.K. students already in Oz have been offered a five year extension to their visas and possible future path to citizenship.