Canberra: Australia on Thursday suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and offered a path to citizenship for those Hong Kongers who wish to leave the city, CNN reported.
Speaking at a press briefing in Canberra, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that China's new national security legislation for Hong Kong constitutes a "fundamental change in our circumstances with respect to our extradition agreement with Hong Kong".
"We have formally notified Hong Kong and advised the Chinese authorities," he said.
The prime minister said that Canberra has also updated its travel advisory for Hong Kong, warning Australians of the possibility of detention in the city under the "vague" law.
Read also: Canada suspends extradition treaty with HK
Morrison also announced a pathway to permanent residency in Australia for Hong Kong citizens who are looking forward to leave the city due to the imposition of the law.
Current students or skilled visa holders in Australia from Hong Kong will be afforded an extra five years on their visa, with a pathway to permanent residency, he said, adding that future students or skilled visa applicants will also be granted five extra years should their applications be successful.
Read also: Xi Jinping signs Hong Kong security law
"There will be citizens of Hong Kong who may be looking to move elsewhere, to start a new life somewhere else, to take their skills and their business and the things that they have been running under the previous set of rules and arrangements in Hong Kong," Morrison said.
He also encouraged businesses based in Hong Kong to relocate to Australia.
Around 10,000 Hong Kongers are currently in Australia, Morrison said, adding that he does not expect large numbers of applications for new visas in the short term.
ANI
