Richard A. Boucher - Speeches and Remarks

Remarks by United States Consul General Richard Boucher at Signing Ceremony For the United States-Hong Kong Extradition Agreement For surrender of Fugitive Offenders

Friday, December 20, 1996

This is a day of real significance in United States-Hong Kong relations. The Agreement we have signed here for the surrender of fugitive offenders -- the U.S.-Hong Kong Extradition Agreement -- will ensure that our strong law enforcement cooperation will grow even stronger in the future.

The Agreement reflects the excellent level of our bilateral cooperation with Hong Kong in the area of law enforcement. We negotiated it in conformity with the U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act passed by the United States Congress in 1992.

The Act reflects America's support for Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy -- including the independence of the legal and judicial system -- after the territory's reversion to China next July.

In this Agreement, the United States and Hong Kong governments commit themselves to important procedural principles. These include protection against resurrender to a third jurisdiction without the consent of the extraditing party and insurance that offenses covered are crimes in both jurisdictions.

I would note that the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group has approved this Agreement, demonstrating the support of both the present and future sovereign.

As we move to conclude other bilateral agreements in a broad range of fields -- prisoner transfer, bilateral investment, civil aviation, mutual legal assistance -- it is clear that the long partnership of the United States and Hong Kong has a bright future.

Thank you.

*    *    *    *    *