It is the sign of a new escalation in tensions between China and the United Kingdom. London announced Monday (July 20th) the "immediate and indefinite" suspension of its extradition treaty with Hong Kong.

The announcement was made to Parliament by British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab. The latter also announced to extend to Hong Kong the embargo on "potentially lethal" weapons already applied to the rest of China.

Great Britain thus intends to respond to the new national security law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong. A text which, according to London, infringes the freedoms guaranteed in the special administrative region - including the independence of the judiciary. They have enabled the former British colony to become one of the most important financial hubs since its handover to China in 1997.

The authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing are defending this legislation, which they believe is essential to close the loopholes in national security revealed by recent pro-democracy and anti-Chinese protest movements, and China has repeatedly invited the great powers Western countries to cease their "interference" in this matter.

With AFP and Reuters

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