Posted on 07/09/2020 5:32:04 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
Sydney (AFP) -- Australia offered pathways to permanent residency for thousands of people from Hong Kong on Thursday in response to China's crackdown on dissent, drawing a furious reply from Beijing.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government was suspending its extradition agreement with the city and, in addition to extending the visas of 10,000 Hong Kongers already in the country, threw open the door to thousands more wanting to start a new life Down Under.
Morrison said the decisions were taken in response to China's imposition last week of a tough new security law in Hong Kong, which he said "constitutes a fundamental change of circumstances" for the semi-autonomous territory.
"Australia is adjusting its laws, our sovereign laws, our sovereign immigration programme, things that we have responsibility for and jurisdiction over, to reflect the changes that we're seeing take place there," he said during a press conference.
China's embassy in Canberra shot back quickly, condemning the steps as "a serious violation of international law... and a gross interference in China's internal affairs".
"China strongly deplores and opposes the groundless accusations and measures" announced by Australia, it said.
"We urge the Australian side to immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs," it said.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said China's moves in Hong Kong were discussed earlier Thursday with Australia's so-called "Five Eyes" security partners -- New Zealand, the United States, Britain, and Canada.
Morrison's announcement came a day after China opened a new office in Hong Kong for its security agents to oversee implementation of the law targeting acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign collusion.
(Excerpt) Read more at france24.com ...
Now Lebron also is very angry with Australia.
Maybe Australia will offer safe haven to us. We too are facing a situation that “constitutes a fundamental change of circumstances”.
Get out while the gettins good, HKers.
Wow!!! Great
I remember visiting Hong Kong in 1991 and there was already an exodus happening in anticipation of the 1997 turnover. A lot of small and medium businesses were packing up family and restarting on the Canadian and American west coast, Australia, New Zealand. They knew “One country, two systems” was just a CCP chess move.
canada did the same thing years ago, a million a head iirc.
Look at SF. Changed big time. No parking anymore.
How is this “meddling in [China’s] internal affairs”?
It is a change to Australia’s laws.
Wish we could send an equal number of Antifa idiots and BLM nincompoops over there...a fair trade :-)
Pray for these brave people!
We should bring some Hong Kong people to America. They love Freedom and have Republican Values... Hard Workers too.
“”If there are businesses that wish to relocate to Australia, creating jobs, bringing investment, creating opportunities for Australia, then we will be very proactive in seeking to encourage that,” he said.”
Great Idea: We should offer the businesses in Hong Kong to relocate too.
We should be doing this.
After thoroughly vetting them of course.
L
Why would China be angry? Only the anti-communists would take the Aussies up on this.
Is it better to keep them and imprison/squash them, or to let them self deport, from the CCP’s point of view?
The future GDP of Australia just greatly increased!
I think the US has already moved to do this... or at least it’s in the works.
Ah, in congress but our communists will probably sit on it:
https://www.oann.com/congress-debates-refugee-status-for-hong-kong-citizens/
Trade the filthy Communist Chinese students and spies here for Hong Kongese.
I think the US has already moved to do this... or at least it’s in the works.
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Already done in the U.K., if the U.S. democrats drag their heels, which they assuredly will, we will miss out completely.
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