New Zealand suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong

New Zealand has suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and made a number of other changes following China's decision to pass a national security law for the territory.

In a statement, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said the country "can no longer trust that Hong Kong’s criminal justice system is sufficiently independent from China".

"If China in future shows adherence to the ‘one country, two systems’ framework then we could reconsider this decision."

Peters said New Zealand will treat military and dual-use goods and technology exports to Hong Kong in the same way as it treats such exports to China as part of a review of its overall relationship with Hong Kong.

Travel advice has been updated to alert New Zealanders to the risks presented by the new security law, he added.

Australia, Canada and the UK have all suspended extradition treaties with Hong Kong earlier this month. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has ended preferential economic treatment for Hong Kong.

Beijing imposed new legislation on the former British colony earlier this month despite the protests of Hong Kong residents and Western nations, setting the financial hub on a more authoritarian track.

In a website statement, the Chinese embassy in New Zealand called the decision a violation of international law and gross interference in China's internal affairs.

"The Chinese side has lodged its grave concern and strong opposition," an embassy representative said in the statement.