US Notifies Hong Kong of Termination of 3 Bilateral Agreements... China Responds with "Suspension of Judicial Cooperation"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] After the United States notified the termination of the extradition agreement with Hong Kong, China immediately retaliated by announcing the suspension of judicial cooperation between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the United States. The conflict between the US and China over Hong Kong is intensifying.

On the 19th (local time), the US notified Hong Kong of the suspension and termination of three bilateral agreements, including extradition and taxation agreements. Morgan Ortagus, spokesperson for the US Department of State, explained in a statement, "This emphasizes our deep concern regarding China's decision to impose the National Security Law that suppresses the freedoms of Hong Kong citizens."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also confirmed on Twitter, "The Chinese Communist Party has chosen to suppress the freedoms and autonomy of the people of Hong Kong," adding, "Because of the CCP's actions, we are terminating or suspending three bilateral agreements."

Earlier, on the 14th of last month, after China enacted the Hong Kong National Security Law, US President Donald Trump officially declared the end of special treatment for Hong Kong by signing an executive order on normalizing relations with Hong Kong. On the 7th, the US also announced sanctions against 11 Hong Kong and Chinese officials, including Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

The US has been continuously reducing preferential treatment, such as mandating that goods made in Hong Kong for export to the US be labeled as "Made in China" starting September 25.

President Trump's continued pressure on China is also interpreted as an effort to reverse a disadvantaged position ahead of the November presidential election. The aim is to consolidate support through an "anti-China" policy.

In response, on the 20th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated at a regular briefing, "China has decided to suspend the implementation of judicial cooperation treaties between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the United States in response to the US's wrongful actions."

He said, "The Hong Kong issue is purely China's internal affair, and no external forces have the right to interfere," adding, "China urges the US to stop interfering in Hong Kong and China's internal affairs and to cease going down the wrong path."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.