Kin Cheung/AP
- Hong Kong has been engulfed in protests the past week over a proposed law that would allow extradition of residents to mainland China.
- The bill prompted widespread anger and stoked fears that the new rules could be exploited to quash dissidents and political dissent.
- Demonstrations have at times blanketed the Asian financial center in a "sea of black," and protesters are calling for government leaders to resign.
- The extradition plan was tabled Saturday, and Chief Executive Carrie Lam issued a mea culpa Sunday admitting "deficiencies" in the government’s process.
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After drawing fierce backlash and some of the largest protests in Hong Kong’s history, extradition plans between the territory and China have been put on ice and chief executive Carrie Lam has issued a mea culpa as leaders try to quell a growing political crisis.
Widescale demonstrations that at times have blanketed the Asian financial center in a "sea of black" broke out last Sunday over a proposed law that would allow people to be extradited to mainland China, stoking fears that the new rules could be exploited to quash dissidents and political dissent.
Protests continued throughout the week, and hundreds of thousands of black-clad residents continued to swarm the streets this Sunday to call for government leaders to step down, even after the bill was indefinitely tabled on Saturday.
Amid the intense blowback in the territory, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997 after more than 150 years under British authority, Lam issued a statement Sunday admitting "deficiencies" in the government’s process and saying there was no timetable for revisiting the policy.
"The Chief Executive admitted that the deficiencies in the Government’s work had led to substantial controversies and disputes in society, causing disappointment and grief among the people," the statement read. "The Chief Executive apologised to the people of Hong Kong for this and pledged to adopt a most sincere and humble attitude to accept criticisms and make improvements in serving the public."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that President Donald Trump would discuss the protests with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit later this month, according to the AFP.
Protests erupted in Hong Kong a week ago amid efforts to pass an extradition bill allowing some suspects to be sent to China to stand trial.
Tyrone Siu/Reuters
The proposed law was deeply unpopular, as many believe it could be wielded as a tool to weed out and silence political dissidents.
Jorge Silva/Reuters
Vincent Yu/AP
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Source: Business Insider – amorrell@businessinsider.com (Alex Morrell)