Australia has warned its citizens they may be at risk of arbitrary detention in China, in an updated travel advisory. The travel advice for China on Australia's Smart Traveller website includes the warning, "Authorities have detained foreigners because they're 'endangering national security'".
On Tuesday, a new warning was added by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: "Australians may also be at risk of arbitrary detention."
Diplomatic relations between Australia and top trading partner China became frayed after Canberra called for an international inquiry into the source and spread of the new coronavirus, which emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
Australia continues to advise its citizens not to travel to China
Australia continues to advise its citizens not to travel to China, and under coronavirus, control measures its citizens cannot leave Australia without an exemption granted by the Home Affairs department.
Beijing has also recently imposed sweeping security legislation on Hong Kong that punishes what China defines as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with sentences up to life in prison.
Late on Monday, Hong Kong released additional details of the law, saying security forces had the overriding authority to enter and search properties for evidence and to stop people from leaving the city.
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week signalled his government may follow Britain in offering safe haven to Hong Kong citizens in response to the security law, and proposals would be considered by Cabinet soon. Canada has also warned its citizens in Hong Kong they may be at risk of arbitrary detention and extradition to mainland China and has suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
