Hong Kong Chief vows to hold firm on extraditions

Hong Kong: Hong Kong's leader pledged to press ahead with Beijing-backed legislation easing extraditions to China despite one of Hong Kong’s largest protests since the former British colony’s return more than two decades ago.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam told reporters on Monday that the government “could see people are still concerned about the bill,” which would allow Hong Kong to enter into one-time agreements with places such as mainland China and Taiwan to transfer criminal suspects. She said the legislation has previously been amended to protect human rights and said it was up to Hong Kong’s elected Legislative Council to make further changes.

“The society has been closely and intensely discussing the amendment bill for four months,” Lam said in response to a question about whether she would withdraw the legislation. “It should be returned to the Legislative Council, which should carry out its constitutional duty. This means after vetting the bill, legislators can amend or approve the bill or whatever. Our stand is still our stand today.”


She suggested that extending the debate could prove even more divisive: “There is very little merit to be gained by delaying the bill,” Lam said. Hong Kong arrested seven people who participated in the protest on suspicion of attacking the police, Lee Kwai-wah, senior superintendent of the city's Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, said Monday. He said another 12 people were arrested on accusations they blocked roads. Opposition lawmakers and pro-democratic groups pushed back following Lam’s comments.