The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's government strongly objected to Finland's unilateral suspension of the extradition agreement with the city, saying that the move was for political purposes.
In an emailed reply to China Daily, the HKSAR government's Security Bureau said every country has laws and a duty to safeguard its national security and sovereignty. Finland's unilateral suspension of the agreement has used China's enactment of the National Security Law in the HKSAR as an excuse.
"It smacks of political manipulation and double standards," the bureau said.
It is a blatant interference in China's internal affairs and a violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations, the bureau added.
Finland has taken a decision to knowingly allow criminals to evade justice. The decision shines a spotlight on the real possibility that Finland will become a haven for fugitives wanted by Hong Kong, the bureau said.
"As such, Finland will need to be answerable to the rule of law and the international community," the bureau added.
On Friday, the Chinese Embassy in Finland expressed grave concern and strong opposition to Helsinki's decision to suspend its extradition agreement with the HKSAR.
In a response posted on the embassy's website, a spokesperson for the embassy said Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China and that its affairs are entirely China's internal affairs. They allow no foreign interference.
The spokesperson said the National Security Law in Hong Kong is an important step to ensure the steady and sustained implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.
"Its implementation contributes to strengthening Hong Kong's legal framework, ensuring social order, improving the business environment and the long-term security, prosperity and stability in Hong Kong," the spokesperson said.
China urges the Finnish side to abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, the spokesperson said, calling on Finland to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs in any form to avoid harms to China-Finland relations.
