China tensions: Australian warnings citizens could be detained without reason denied by China
China has reacted to Australia warning its citizens could face “arbitrary detention”, denying warnings Aussies could be detained without reason under new national security laws as it stands accused of breaching rules over its handling of Hong Kong.
QLD News
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CHINA has reacted to Australia warning its citizens could face “arbitrary detention” under new national security laws, as tensions with our largest trading partner deteriorate.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have said foreigners in China had been detained on “national security” grounds and warned Australians could be detained without reason. It has raised fears of “hostage diplomacy”.
Smartraveller upgrades China warning to include risk of ‘arbitrary detention’
Foreign ministry spokesman for China Zhao Lijian said overnight he was unaware the Australian Government had taken that step, but people had “no need to worry” if they followed the law.
“I can tell you that as a principle, the Chinese government always protects the safety and legitimate rights and interests of foreign nationals in China,” Mr Zhao said.
“There is no need to worry at all as long as they abide by laws and regulations.
“I hope the relevant side will look at this in an objective and fair manner and do more to enhance China-Australia relations.”
National security experts have suggested China’s new national security laws are behind Australia’s warning.
Mr Zhao has continued to defend the laws saying they target “criminal behaviours that severely undermine national security”.
“The Law will not in any way affect the legitimate rights and interests enjoyed by Hong Kong residents and foreign institutions and personnel in the HKSAR,” he said.
China has been accused of breaching the one country, two systems rules put in place when Hong Kong was returned to it by the UK in 1997.
Opposition attorney-general spokesman Mark Dreyfus on Wednesday morning urged Australia to re-examine it’s extradition treaty with Hong Kong in the wake of China’s actions.
“The passage of the Chinese Government’s national security legislation for Hong Kong undermines the “one country, two systems” arrangement to which Beijing has committed under the UN-registered Sino-British Joint Declaration,” Mr Dreyfus said.
“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.”