Hong Kong Suspends Debate On Proposed China Extradition Law After Mass Protests

23 October 2019, 08:51 | Updated: 23 October 2019, 08:56

Hong Kongers protest over proposed China extradition law
Hong Kongers protest over proposed China extradition law. Picture: Getty

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam has said the city's government will suspend debate on a proposed extradition bill following mass protests.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced the Hong Kong government will suspend its highly controversial plan to allow extraditions to mainland China after mass protests from Hong Kong residents.

Speaking to a press conference, Ms Lam said the bill had "caused a lot of division in society", adding she heard calls for her government to "pause and think".

"I have to admit in terms of explanation and communication, there were inadequacies," she said.

"We have to bear in mind the greatest interests of Hong Kong."

She had previously refused to withdraw the bill, with protesters calling for her resignation.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam says the government will suspend debate on its proposed extradition law
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam says the government will suspend debate on its proposed extradition law. Picture: Getty

It comes after days of large-scale protests from residents who fear the law could be used to target politician opponents of the Chinese state.

Police used tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters, who blockaded streets around the government headquarters to try to stop debates taking place.

More to follow...

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Israel Palestinians UN Security Council

Russia ‘abolishes’ monitoring of sanctions on North Korea with UN veto

Firefighters at the scene of a bus crash in Limpopo

Bus plunges from bridge in South Africa and erupts into flames, killing 45 and leaving child, 8, as lone survivor

Israel Palestinians Britain Aid

UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza

Music-Green Day UN

Green Day to headline UN-backed global climate concert

Exclusive
Starmer has vowed to resurrect Boris Johnson's 'Levelling Up' policy

Failure to ‘level up’ Britain would be ‘catastrophic’, Wes Streeting admits, as Starmer vows to resurrect Johnson policy

Border Force staff will walk out from April 11

Hundreds of Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport to stage four-day strike

Stephen Bear was ordered to pay Ms Harrison £5,000.

Disgraced reality TV star Stephen Bear ordered to pay £27,000 over revenge porn conviction or face nine months in jail

Sam Bankman-Fried

FTX founder Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison for crypto fraud

Exclusive
Covid no excuse for death of Finley Boden who was murdered by drug-addled parents, child protection chief says

Covid no excuse for death of Finley Boden who was murdered by drug-addled parents, child protection chief says

France Valentino

Former Gucci designer Alessandro Michele named Valentino creative director

Know your limits this summer, Brits have been warned

‘Know your limits’: Brits heading to the Euros this summer warned against drinking ‘too much German beer’

Russia Shooting

Russia arrests another suspect in concert hall attack that killed 143

Sam Bankman-Fried has been jailed for 25 years for a $8bn crypto fraud

'Crypto King' Sam Bankman-Fried jailed for 25 years for stealing billions of dollars from his customers

Michael Gove has been urged to 'get on with' passing the rental reforms

Ministers accused of making 'major concessions to landlords' after renters reforms 'watered down'

Supermarket opening times for Easter 2024: Trading hour revealed for Sainsbury's, Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi

Supermarket opening times for Easter 2024: Trading hours revealed for Sainsbury's, Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi

It is believed the litter picking tool was mistaken for a firearm, Northumbria Police said

Schools locked down by police after litter picker mistaken for firearm