Germany suspends Hong Kong’s mutual extradition agreement following the enactment of the national security law and the postponement of elections. This was announced on July 31 by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.
According to him, the decision of the authorities of the special autonomous region of the PRC to disqualify opposition candidates from the election race and the postponement of elections to the legislative council was another attack on the rights of Hong Kong citizens.
“It appeared after the arrest of three activists by the new department of national security, which worries us,” the press service of the Foreign Ministry quotes Meas.
Germany has repeatedly expressed expectations that China will fulfill its obligations under international law, the German minister recalled. This includes the right to free and fair elections, Maas added.
Earlier this week, the EU retaliated against Hong Kong’s national security law, including restricting technology exports.
China’s National Security Law came into force on June 30. It identifies four types of crimes in Hong Kong that are considered a threat to statehood: separatism, attempts to undermine state power, terrorist activities, colluding with foreign states or forces in order to endanger national security.