Australians in Hong Kong are warned they could be arrested and deported to China under new national security laws
- Beijing passed draconian laws that clamp down on protesters in Hong Kong
- The federal government has warned Australians that they face being arrested
- Advice states that Aussies may be in danger of breaking law without realising
The government has updated its travel advice for Hong Kong, warning that China's new national security law poses a risk to Australians.
Beijing recently passed draconian laws that prohibit what Beijing views as secessionist, subversive or terrorist activities or as foreign intervention in Hong Kong.
Pro-democracy protesters have since been charged for holding flags, posters and pamphlets.
On Thursday, the government warned Australians that they could face an increased risk of detention.
The smartraveller website reads: 'The new national security legislation for Hong Kong could be interpreted broadly.
The government has updated its travel advice for Hong Kong , warning that China 's new national security law poses a risk to Australians
'Under the law, you could be deported or face possible transfer to mainland China for prosecution under mainland law.
'The full extent of the law and how it will be applied is not yet clear. You may be at increased risk of detention on vaguely defined national security grounds. You could break the law without intending to.
'If you're concerned about the new law, reconsider your need to remain in Hong Kong.'
Mr Morrison said the decision to update Hong Kong travel advice was made by officials.
'From time to time, travel advisories are changed, and on this occasion the officials have upgraded that advice,' the prime minister said.
Hong Kong police agents arrest a protester at the Central district Hong Kong in May
A Chinese embassy spokesperson branded the suggestion Australians were at risk of arbitrary detention as ridiculous disinformation.
'Foreigners in China, including the Australians, as long as they abide by the Chinese laws, have no need to worry at all,' the spokesperson said.
'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.'
Share this article
Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus has called on the government to urgently re-examine Australia's extradition agreement with Hong Kong.
'With residents and visitors to Hong Kong now subject to extradition to mainland China for a wide variety of reasons, extradition from Australia to Hong Kong now carries the real risk of extradition to mainland China,' he said.
'It follows that it may now be untenable for Australia to maintain a separate extradition treaty with Hong Kong and, if so, the government should take immediate steps to withdraw from that treaty.'
Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to China in 1997 under a formula called 'one country, two systems' which granted freedoms to Hong Kong that are unknown in the mainland.
China promised to preserve the city's way of life for 50 years, but 23 of those have passed and critics say that 'one country, two systems' is already out of the window.
Police officers arrest a pro-democracy demonstrator in Hong Kong in May
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
