Canada's decision to suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong is a political move overriding the rule of law, said Hong Kong's Secretary for Security John Lee on Saturday. 

"If the Canadian administration allows politics to overrule the rule of law, it must also explain to the world on what grounds could they allow fugitives to go scot-free," the senior official of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said in a radio program. 

Such decision from the north American country came just days after the national security law for Hong Kong was enacted, a "resolute" effort taken by the Chinese central government that will make secession, subversion, terrorist activities and collusion with foreign forces illegal.

In the same interview, Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng also expressed disappointment over Canada's sudden move. 

If Canada hopes to affect China's national security by this means, that also marks its attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs, Cheng noted.

Starting June last year, widespread and sometimes extremely violent protests incited by some forces against a now abandoned fugitive bill, embroiled many parts of the city in a state of complete chaos. The local economy was plunged into the worst crisis since Hong Kong's return to China in 1997, with its GDP contracting by 1.2 percent in 2019. 

Many of Hong Kong people including officials and residents from various walks of life have expressed their full support to the national security legislation for Hong Kong. According to Chief Executive Carrie Lam, Hong Kong residents' opinions have been integrated into the law as much as possible. 

In an exclusive interview with CGTN, Lee also spoke on the ruling of first case that involved national security offenses. "It is something that people will be seeing in open court when the case is heard," Lee said. 

"How the law will be exercised and how the case will eventually be judged, it will all be very transparent," he told CGTN.

Earlier on Saturday, Chinese embassy in Canada also hit hard at Ottawa, calling their comments "unwarranted."

An embassy spokesperson said that some Western countries including Canada have been meddling in Hong Kong affairs under the pretext of human rights, seriously violating international law and basic norms of international relations, and fully exposing their double standards on the issue of national security and real intention to flagrantly interfere in other countries' internal affairs. 

"They are unable to represent the international community at all and their attempts are doomed to fail," the spokesperson said.

"Hong Kong affairs are entirely China's internal affairs and allow no foreign interference. The Chinese government is firm in its determination to safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests, to implement the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' and to oppose any external interference in Hong Kong affairs," the spokesperson said. 

"We urge the Canadian side to view the national security law for the HKSAR in a fair, objective manner, immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's domestic affairs in any way," the spokesperson said.

The official also hailed "One Country, Two Systems," a framework proposed in the 1980s that guarantees a high degree of autonomy for the HKSAR.

"It (The law) is a landmark in the practice of 'One Country, Two Systems' and a strong institutional guarantee for upholding national sovereignty, security and development interests, safeguarding lasting security, prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, and ensuring the steady implementation of 'One Country, Two Systems.' The implementation of the said law will strengthen Hong Kong's legal framework, ensure social order, improve the business environment, and benefit Hong Kong residents and international investors," the spokesperson said.

(With input from Xinhua)