Germany suspends extradition arrangements with Hong Kong

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas announced on Friday 31 July that his country had suspended extradition arrangements with Hong Kong. The decision was taken in response to the decision to postpone the upcoming Hong Kong election. It is also the latest in a string of international and diplomatic reactions to the imposition of the controversial Chinese national security law on the region. The move follows corresponding suspensions made by the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The Chinese embassy condemned the move expressing “strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition” to the Foreign Minister’s comments. China earlier this week suspended Hong Kong’s extradition treaties with the UK, Canada and Australia in retaliation, and the embassy stated that it reserved the right to respond further to the German decision.