向國際社會解釋修例事件

Why is the extradition bill with China so controversial in Hong Kong?

Currently, Hong Kong has operating extradition agreements with 18 countries as follows: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, US, Philippines, India, Netherlands, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Portugal, South Korea, Ireland, Germany, South Africa and Finland.

But no agreement with Taiwan, China and Macau. The latter situation is particular abnormal as HK is part of China.

It all started when a HK resident murdered his girlfriend during a tour to Taiwan. The suspect returned to HK and was caught for using the credit card of the victim. On trial in HK, the suspect admitted killing the girl in Taiwan. Due to jurisdiction issue, he could not be tried for murder or manslaughter, but was sentenced to 2 yrs’ imprisonment for fraud. HK intended to send him to Taiwan after serving the prison terms for the killing, thus the extradition bill amendment to include Taiwan, China and Macau.

A HK business tycoon has a prison term by a Macau court for fraud and corruption involving a Macau Govt Minister but he stays free in HK due to lack of extradition agreement with Macau, although the Macau official is serving over 10 yrs in Macau prison. Suspects alleged of economic crimes in China escaped to HK also enjoy free and luxurious living..

Anti-Govt elements seized the opportunity to stir up fears that if the bill were passed, every HK resident could be arrested and sent to China for anti-communist speech or expression, etc.

Later, Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of HK, declared suspension of all procedures for bringing the bill to the Legislative Assembly.

“The bill is now dead”, she said.

This is not accepted by the opposition who insist on “withdraw” instead of “suspend” which was the first item of their “five demands”

Finally Lam agreed to withdraw the bill, but the opposition then demanded for her resignation. So the “five demands” can never be settled because they are always changing by adding new demands.

Actually the proposed bill amendment is just following international practice and would not affect normally HK residents.

Rich fugitives from China and the Macau case as aforesaid may be affected, but the proposed procedures allow them to fight the extradition before HK courts practicing British common law under the one country two systems.