[Hong Kong version of the National Security Law] Canada relaxes immigration policy for Hong Kong residents from cautious to tougher in months

Instant International

Written by: Hong Yilin

2020-11-13 13:18

Last update date: 2020-11-13 13:18

The Canadian Minister of Immigration, Marco Mendicino, announced on November 12 new measures to relax immigration for Hong Kong residents in response to the "Hong Kong National Security Act".

Since the implementation of the "Hong Kong version of the National Security Act," the country has not followed the United States in sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials. Initially, it only updated the travel tips for Hong Kong and suspended the implementation of the extradition treaty with the Hong Kong government.

But since October, Canada has begun to increase its immigration policies.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China passed the "Hong Kong Area National Security Law" on June 30, and the Hong Kong government subsequently issued a communiqué announcing that the law was gazetted that evening.

Canada updated its travel reminder for Hong Kong on the same day, reminding its citizens of the greater risk of arbitrary detention or extradition to mainland China in Hong Kong.

↓The "Hong Kong version of the National Security Law" has attracted controversy from all sides. If you want to know the attitudes of representatives from all over the country, you can click on the pictures to understand:

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July: Refusing to immediately follow the UK and Australia

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on July 3 that it would stop implementing the extradition treaty with Hong Kong and announced relevant measures. At the same time, he pointed out that he would study and amend the immigration policy, but did not disclose details.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated in Beijing on July 28 that Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom unilaterally announced the suspension of the "Agreement on the Surrender of Fugitive Offenders" signed with the Hong Kong Government on the pretext of China's enactment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region National Security Law.

For this reason, China also decided to suspend Hong Kong’s "Agreement on the Surrender of Fugitive Offenders" with them, and at the same time decided to suspend the "Criminal Judicial Mutual Assistance Agreement" signed by the Hong Kong Government with these three countries.

The picture shows Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin presiding over a regular press conference in Beijing on July 28.

(Chinese Embassy in Serbia)

October: Accepting Hong Kong people seeking asylum

The Globe and Mail of Canada reported on October 6 that a Hong Kong couple who participated in the anti-revision campaign went to Canada to seek political asylum in December 2019.

Two people later received a notice from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada on September 1, 2020, accepting their asylum applications, and defined the two as "Convention refugees".

October 13th marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada. Trudeau warned China at a press conference that its coercive diplomacy, repressive measures against Hong Kong, and detention of Uyghur Muslims would harm China itself and The rest of the world will backfire.

He mentioned that Canada is concerned about human rights protection and issues including Hong Kong and Uyghurs, and will continue to work with allies to ensure China’s “coercive diplomacy” and the detention of two Canadian citizens and citizens of other countries. It will become a successful strategy in the eyes of China.

The picture shows Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau speaking in Montreal on October 21, 2019.

(Getty)

Canadian police arrested Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor on December 1, 2018, after Meng Wanzhou, vice chairman of Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturer Huawei.

Chinese Ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu warned Canada not to accept Hong Kong "riot criminals" on October 15, 2020.

He stated that China strongly urges Canada not to provide so-called political asylum to Hong Kong "riot criminals", seriously interfering in China's internal affairs, and at the same time will encourage the arrogance of related riot criminals.

The picture shows the Chinese Ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu holding a video press conference at the embassy on October 15.

(Chinese Foreign Ministry)

Late October: take action

The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) of the House of Commons of Canada passed unanimously on October 20 to study the motion for a special resettlement plan for Hong Kong people.

The motion was put forward by Kwan Hye-ching, a member of the House of Commons who was a Hong Kong immigrant. The scope of research includes application procedures, time required, eligibility for application, and background checks.

The British "Guardian" reported on November 3 that Canadian Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau, Jeff Nankivell, said that the Canadian government has detailed plans to evacuate Chinese citizens from Hong Kong on a large scale if necessary.

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