China's foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Monday announced the country's decision to suspend extradition and judiciary assistance treaties between its Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and New Zealand.

New Zealand on July 28 suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong. 

Wang said New Zealand's act politicizes its judicial cooperation with Hong Kong, interferes in China's internal affairs, seriously violates international law and the basic norms of international relations, damages the basis of judicial cooperation between Hong Kong and New Zealand, and deviates from the purpose of judicial cooperation to maintain justice and the rule of law. 

In accordance with the instruction of the Central People's Government, the Hong Kong SAR government issued a notice to the New Zealand Consulate General on Monday to suspend the implementation of the Agreement for the Surrender of Accused and Convicted Persons between the HKSAR Government and the Government of New Zealand and the Agreement between the HKSAR Government and the Government of New Zealand Concerning Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (MLA), the Hong Kong SAR government said in a statement.

A government spokesman said, "it is an international practice to safeguard national security through enactment of laws. New Zealand has put in place relevant legislation and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding its national security and sovereignty, such as the Intelligence and Security Act and the Crimes Act 1961.

"However, New Zealand has unilaterally suspended the agreement on surrender of fugitive offenders (SFO) with the HKSAR using the enactment of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as an excuse. The move by New Zealand smacks of political manipulation and double standards. It is also gross interference in China's internal affairs and a grave violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations," said the spokesperson.

The HKSAR government will, as always, uphold the principle of mutual assistance and reciprocity, and carry out law enforcement cooperation with other members of the international community in accordance with the law, the spokesperson added.