Opinion | Extradition bill: Hong Kong government must seize back the narrative from scaremongers

In my early days with the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the most frustrating aspect of our work was seeing corrupt officials abscond to Taiwan. The ICAC tried to approach Taipei for assistance but it simply turned its back on us. Since then, my impression of Taiwan has been that it has no respect for justice and is a haven for fugitives.

This drama was watched by millions of mainlanders and every time I gave a talk on the mainland thereafter, they would ask me why Hong Kong refused to return these fugitives from mainland justice. Indeed, Hong Kong has breached its international obligation to assist in the extradition of corruption offenders, under Article 44 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. As Asia’s “world city”, Hong Kong must no longer tarnish its image by failing to take proper measures against fugitives.

In their campaign against the government’s extradition bill, the opposition parties are tactically fanning the flames of some Hong Kong residents’ anti-mainland sentiment, and inciting mass hysteria.

First, they have roped in friendly media outlets to help spread misinformation about the bill. One university professor was reported to have warned that Hongkongers could be extradited for criticising the mainland on social media. A famous singer was reported to have claimed he would be afraid to write any songs that could upset China. RTHK devoted an episode of its documentary series to bookseller Lam Wing-kee, who said he had to take refuge in Taiwan for fear of the passing of the bill.