China on Monday said that it would not interfere in the possible arrest of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, leaving Hong Kong the option of making a decision based on an Indian request.
Mr. Modi had apparently fled to Hong Kong in the backdrop of his involvement in the 12,700-crore, Punjab National Bank scam. Asked about India’s request for Mr. Modi’s provisional arrest, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing here that “according to the one country two systems and basic law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) HKSAR, under the assistance and authorisation of the central government, the HKSAR can make proper arrangement on judicial mutual assistance with other countries”.
“If India makes relevant request to the HKSAR, we believe the HKSAR will follow the basic law and relevant laws and under relevant judicial agreements with India with the relevant issue,” he said.
Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh told Parliament last week that “the Ministry has sought the provisional arrest of Nirav Deepak Modi by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People’s Republic of China.”
Hong Kong is part of China but follows a largely autonomous legal regime based on the “One China two systems” principle.
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