Australians should 'reconsider need to be in Hong Kong': DFAT
Australians living in Hong Kong have been warned to "reconsider your need to remain" in the Chinese territory after Beijing imposed new national security laws that could see foreigners arbitrarily detained.
The warning from the Department of Foreign Affairs is the second escalation in travel advice for the former British colony in a week. There are up to 100,000 Australians living in Hong Kong, Australia's second largest contingent overseas.
In updated travel advice announced on Thursday, the department said the legislation, which is designed to stamp out dissent in the Chinese territory, "could be interpreted broadly".
The flag of China is flown behind a pair of surveillance cameras outside the Central Government Offices in Hong Kong. Credit:Bloomberg
Residents have been warned by Hong Kong police that pro-independence chants, flags and blank pieces of paper raised in defiance, could be in violation of the new legislation. The legislation is so broad that Australians who are accused of undermining the Chinese state in Australia could be arrested on arrival in Hong Kong.
"Under the law, you could be deported or face possible transfer to mainland China for prosecution under mainland law," the advice says.
"The full extent of the law and how it will be applied is not yet clear. You could break the law without intending to.
"If you’re concerned about the new law, reconsider your need to remain in Hong Kong."
The Chinese embassy on Wednesday accused the Australian government of disinformation and rejected separate country-wide travel advice for China that warned foreigners that they may be arrested without evidence. A spokesman for the embassy in Canberra said law-abiding Australians had no need to worry.
"However, those who engage in illegal activities, such as drug smuggling or espionage, will be dealt with according to the laws in China, as is the case in all other countries," the spokesman said.
"We have noted Australia’s updated travel advice regarding China, which asserts that Australians may be at risk of arbitrary detention. This is completely ridiculous and disinformation."