Opinion | Resuming extradition pacts between Hong Kong and West would be in everyone’s interest
- Current impasse between Hong Kong and Western nations – though limited – can benefit only criminals in the long term
Criminals know best how to get around the long arm of justice. That is why some countries around the world have standing mechanisms on cooperation on investigations and law enforcement.
In the case of Hong Kong, the suspension of extradition and legal assistance treaties with some Western countries in the wake of Beijing’s imposition of the national security law in 2020 continues to raise concerns.
Even though the suspension has not amounted to a total vacuum as far as collaboration is concerned, it is in the interests of the city and the world to resume full legal cooperation as early as possible.
The problem has been put into perspective in the Post’s exclusive interview with Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung.
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Geopolitics has dented Hong Kong law enforcement but crooks still being caught: security chief
It is good to hear that cooperation between Hong Kong’s law enforcement and international agencies has not been enfeebled by geopolitical tensions in recent years. Tang said the government was still able to work out specific arrangements on non-politically sensitive cases on an individual basis.
An example is the recent issuance of a red notice by Interpol at the Hong Kong police’s request to launch a global manhunt for Wong Ching-kit, a young cryptocurrency promoter, over his suspected role in several criminal cases.
