The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Tuesday strongly objected to New Zealand's unilateral suspension of the agreement on the surrender of fugitive offenders with Hong Kong.
The New Zealand's move smacks of political manipulation and double standards, an HKSAR government spokesman said.
Every country has laws and the duty to safeguard its national security and sovereignty and New Zealand also has the Intelligence and Security Act and the Crimes Act, the spokesman said.
New Zealand just used the enactment of the national security law in Hong Kong as an excuse to suspend its agreement with Hong Kong, the spokesman said, adding that the move is a gross interference in China's internal affairs and a violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations.
New Zealand has taken a decision to knowingly allow criminals to evade justice, the spokesman said, warning that the country will become a haven for fugitives wanted by Hong Kong who are trying to escape legal responsibility.
