Beijing backed withdrawal of extradition bill, Lam reveals
CARRIE LAM, Hong Kong’s embattled chief executive, said she had withdrawn the city’s controversial extradition bill with the support of mainland China, fuelling fears that Beijing is calling the shots amid further unrest.
In her first press conference since backing down over the bill, Ms Lam deflected questions about why it had taken so long to kill the legislation that triggered mass protests.
“It is not exactly correct to describe this as a change of mind,” she said, before adding that full withdrawal of the bill was a decision made by her government with Beijing’s backing.
“Throughout the whole process, the Central People’s Government took the position that they understood why we have to do it. They respect my view, and they support me all the way.”
Asked specifically whether Hong Kong or China instigated the withdrawal, Ms Lam only reiterated that Beijing supported the move.
Protesters were quick to dismiss Ms Lam’s move as too little too late.
Dropping the bill was just one of five demands from protesters. The four others are: retraction of the word “riot” to describe rallies, release of all demonstrators, an inquiry into perceived police brutality and the right for Hong Kong people to choose their leaders.
One radical protester, who asked to be identified as Gigi, said: “I will continue to protest, because she [Ms Lam] only agreed to one demand.”
Skirmishes broke out in districts including Po Lam late on Wednesday after Ms Lam’s announcement.
Police said a suspected petrol bomb was hurled at a luxury property in Kowloon in the early hours of yesterday. It was reported the home belonged to Jimmy Lai, a newspaper publisher and outspoken critic of Beijing.
♦ The Solomon Islands intends to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan and align itself with Beijing, the leader of a government team representing the South Pacific archipelago has said.