The Hong Kong chief executive bowed to months of pressure and withdrew the controversial bill on Wednesday.
in a recorded speech broadcast on Wednesday following talks with allies, advisers and representatives of the Chinese government in Beijing, according to Reuters.first reported that the withdrawal was imminent and that Lam hoped the move would reduce tensions following weeks of violent demonstrations.
First proposed in March, the extradition legislation would have allowed the Hong Kong government to extradite fugitives to face trial in Beijing. Opponents feared this would undermine the"one country, two systems" agreement established when Hong Kong returned to Chinese control in 1997, and allow Beijing to persecute political dissidents in the semi-autonomous territory.
Activists now have a list of five demands: the full withdrawal of the extradition bill, an independent inquiry into the protests, fully democratic elections, dropping of the term"riot" in describing protests, and a general amnesty for all those so far arrested.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
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