Australian leader criticizes Hong Kong authorities over arrest warrants for activists in Australia #Australian #leader #criticizes #Hong #Kong #authorities #arrest #warrants #activists #Australia

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday criticized Hong Kong authorities over their pursuit of two pro-democracy activists who live in Australia.

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee said Tuesday that eight pro-democracy activists who now live in the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia will be pursued for life for alleged national security offenses, dismissing criticism that the move to have them arrested was a dangerous precedent.

Albanese said his government was concerned and disappointed by Hong Kong authorities issuing arrest warrants for Australian citizen Kevin Yam and Australian permanent resident Ted Hui.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, looks at Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a joint statement in Sydney, Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Widodo is on a 3-day visit to Australia. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Business travel for Indonesians to Australia will be made easier in a bid to boost the economic partnership between the two countries following a deal struck between their leaders.

FILE - Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia Philip Lowe speaks in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 8, 2022. Australia’s central bank left its benchmark interest rate at 4.1% at a policy meeting Tuesday, July 4, 2023, after inflation fell to 5.6% in May from 6.5% a month earlier. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)

Australia’s central bank has left its benchmark interest rate at 4.1% after inflation fell to 5.6% in May from 6.5% a month earlier.

A currency trader watches monitors at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Asian stock markets were mixed Tuesday after Wall Street hit a 15-month high ahead of a decision by Australia's central bank on a possible interest rate hike. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Asian stock markets are mixed after Wall Street hit a 15-month high ahead of a decision by Australia’s central bank on a possible interest rate hike.

England's captain Ben Stokes reacts after hitting a six during the fifth day of the second Ashes Test match between England and Australia, at Lord's cricket ground in London, Sunday, July 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Nobody embraces an Ashes mission impossible like Ben Stokes. The England captain started the last day of the second test against Australia with his side four down and a distant 257 runs from victory at Lord’s.

“I am of course disappointed. I’ve said we’ll cooperate with China where we can. But we will disagree where we must. And we do disagree with China with these actions,” Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Albanese also said he disagreed with China on the detention of Australian journalist Cheng Lei who has yet to learn of a verdict after standing trial in March last year on national security charges.

He said Cheng was being held “without proper process.”

“We continue to advocate for the interests of Australia. We’ll continue to do so. We will disagree where we must. We will engage in our national interest. And this decision overnight is an example of where Australia and China do have different approaches to these issues. And we’ll stand up for our values,” Albanese said.

#Australian #leader #criticizes #Hong #Kong #authorities #arrest #warrants #activists #Australia