Washington: In a move that is expected to further heighten tensions between Washington and Beijing, the Trump administration on Wednesday suspended or terminated three bilateral agreements with Hong Kong.
The State Department announced in a statement that it notified Hong Kong authorities Wednesday of its suspension or termination of bilateral agreements concerning extradition and tex exemptions.
The move follows President Donald Trump signing an executive order mid-July stating Hong Kong was no longer “sufficiently autonomous” from mainland China to warrant special status under U.S. law after Beijing imposed a draconian and controversial national security law July 1 over the former British colony.
The United States, Britain and other Western countries have condemned China for imposing the law, which criminalizes acts its says threaten China’s national security, for reneging on its agreement to grant Hong Kong 50 years of autonomy when it was returned to Chinese rule from Britain in 1997 while activists say Beijing will use the law to target its critics in the city.
