Hong Kong officials expressed "extremely disappointed" because Canada suspended extradition treaty between the two sides after China imposed security laws.

"The Government of Canada needs to explain before the law, as well as to the world, about the reason for allowing fleeers not to be held legally responsible," Hong Kong's security chief John Lee said today in a statement.

Lee added that he felt "extremely disappointed" and vehemently opposed to the Canadian move, arguing that this showed that political issues were above the rule of law.

Canada yesterday announced the suspension of the Canada-Hong Kong Treaty, a bilateral agreement on the surrender of fugitive criminals was signed on June 13, 1997, just before the British handed over Hong Kong to China.

Decisions made after China passed Hong Kong security law, identified four crimes of infringing upon national security, including secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign countries.

Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne accused Hong Kong's security law of "violating international obligations, disregarding the Basic Law of Hong Kong and the high autonomy of the special zone under the framework of" one country, two regimes ".

Hong Kong judicial leader Teresa Cheng also expressed disappointment and regret for Canada's move.