Hong Kong leader signals end to extradition bill but refuses to quit

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam

HONG KONG (Reuters): Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam yesterday signalled the end of a controversial extradition bill that she promoted and then postponed after some of the most violent protests since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

In a closely-watched press conference, Lam apologised for the turmoil but refused to say the bill would be “withdrawn”, only that it wouldn’t be reintroduced during her time in office if public fears persist.

This was the strongest indicator yet that the Government was effectively shelving legislation that would allow people to be extradited to mainland China to face trial, even if it fell short of protester demands for the Government to scrap the bill altogether.

“Because this bill over the past few months has caused so much anxiety, and worries and differences in opinion, I will not, this is an undertaking, I will not proceed again with this legislative exercise if these fears and anxieties cannot be adequately addressed,” Lam told reporters.

Lam, appearing both contrite and defiant, used much of the same language as a previous press conference on Saturday when she announced a postponement of the bill. A day later, about two million people spilled on to the streets, many demanding that she step down.

Lam, asked repeatedly whether she would quit, refused to do so, saying there remained important work ahead in the next three years, which would bring her to the end of her current five-year term of office.

“After this incident, I think work in the next three years will be very difficult... but myself and my team will work harder to rebuild public confidence.”

Lam apologised for plunging the city into major upheaval, saying she had heard the people “loud and clear” and would try to rebuild trust.

But some protest organisers and opposition Democrats said Lam remained tone-deaf to public demands, namely that she state categorically a retraction of the bill, step down immediately and pledge not to prosecute any protesters on rioting charges.