Beijing Warns Finland Not To Interfere In HK Affairs

The Chinese embassy in Finland has expressed "grave concern" and "strong opposition" towards Helsinki's decision to suspend an extradition agreement with Hong Kong.

Finland on Friday announced it would halt such arrangements with the SAR, citing concerns about the new national security law here, and the possibility of criminals being sent to mainland China, where it said the judiciary isn't independent.

Finland could thus be indirectly handing over people for political trials, its President Sauli Niinistö said.

In response, a Chinese embassy spokesperson urged Finnish authorities to stop interfering, saying Hong Kong affairs are entirely China's internal affairs.

"The Chinese side urges the Finnish side to abide by the international law and the basic norms governing international relations, stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs in any forms to avoid harms to China-Finland relations", he said in a statement.

He added that the national security law is needed to maintain One Country, Two Systems in the SAR.

“Its implementation contributes to strengthening Hong Kong's legal framework, ensuring social order, improving business environment and the long-term security, prosperity and stability in Hong Kong”, the statement said.

Apart from Finland, the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany and France have also terminated extradition agreements with the SAR out of similar concerns.