Hong Kong leader to withdraw bill that sparked protests

4 September 2019, 10:28

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks during a press conference in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks during a press conference in Hong Kong. Picture: PA

By Sylvia DeLuca

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam is to formally withdraw a controversial extradition bill which has led to months of protests in the region, a government source has confirmed.

The extradition law - if passed - would have meant criminals would have been extradited to mainland China.

In June the law sparked the beginning of pro-Democracy demonstrations in the former British colony.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Hong Kong have been protesting, often violently in the streets for the last three months.

Hong Kong airport had to cancel numerous flights when protesters stormed the airport terminal, clashing with police.

Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannon laced with blue dye to help identify, and possibly arrest, protesters later.

Protesters taunt police near the Chinese People's Liberation Army Forces Building in Hong Kong
Protesters taunt police near the Chinese People's Liberation Army Forces Building in Hong Kong. Picture: PA

The demonstrations that began in response to a proposed extradition law have expanded to include other grievances and demands for democracy in the semiautonomous Chinese territory.

Hong Kong was returned to the Chinese government by the UK in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" rule, which meant the region could retain a level of relative autonomy.

Carrie Lam has also been challenged about leaked audio of her telling business leaders recently that she would quit - if she had the choice.

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Video footage shows the convoy had emergency lights flashing when it was hit

Israel admits ‘mistakenly’ killing 15 aid workers after video leak contradicted official version of events

Jaguar Land Rover has paused shipments to the US in the wake of 'Liberation Day' tariffs

Jaguar Land Rover halts shipments to US in wake of tariffs as Trump insists he'll win 'economic revolution'

Flowers and toys left on a swing seat to commemorate victims killed in Russia's missile attack on Friday

Death toll from Russian strike on Zelenskyy's home town rises as 18 confirmed dead - including nine children

Donald Trump's 10% tariff on UK products has officially come into force

Trump tariffs come into force as global stock markets plunge deeper into the red

Tom Howard

British tourist killed after being struck by boulder on trek through Himalayas

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, a car burns following a Russian missile attack that killed more than a dozen people, including children, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, Friday, April 4, 2025. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Russia kills 16 people including three children in missile strike on Zelenskyy's home town, with dozens wounded

Travel influencer Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, made an illegal visit to North Sentinel Island

Tourist who left Coke for world's most isolated tribe 'could have wiped them all out' - and police 'can't go collect can'

White House weighs in to support ‘censored’ anti-abortion activists in Britain

White House looking to support ‘censored’ anti-abortion activists in Britain

This image provided by NASA shows Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)

Stranded NASA astronauts reveal they were almost trapped in space 'forever' after horror malfunction

Donald Trump demands France 'free Marine Le Pen'

Donald Trump demands France 'free Marine Le Pen' after far-right leader found guilty of embezzlement in 'witch hunt'

China will impose a 34% retaliatory tariff on imports from the US

China announces additional 34% tariffs on US imports in retaliation over Trump's 'Liberation Day' levies

Friends of Prince Andrew say he's "unsurprised" Giuffre made the post

Prince Andrew 'not surprised' his accuser shared shock post saying she had 'four days to live'

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea president Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office as impeachment upheld over martial law declaration

Virginia Giuffre

Woman driving Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre during crash that left her with 'four days to live' breaks silence

Exclusive
'Donald Trump has made Putin comfortable,' Mikhail Khodorkovsky has warned

'Trump has made Putin comfortable' despite massive Ukraine war losses, exiled former oligarch tells LBC

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour.

British couple found dead in south of France home being ‘treated as murder-suicide’