Editorial | Extradition bill withdrawal is only first step on road to reconciliation in Hong Kong
- After months of often violent protests, city leader must now reach out to public and address deep-seated problems in society
At long last, the extradition bill that has embroiled the city in its worst turmoil since reunification will be formally withdrawn. Belated as it is, the decision is badly needed to take the heat out of an escalating crisis and, hopefully, will pave the way to restoring order and stability.
While the change of heart by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor will not please everyone, protesters would be wise to show similar goodwill if compromise and reconciliation are to be reached.
Announcing the withdrawal in a pre-recorded television address yesterday, the embattled leader said her government was also ready to take further steps to break the deadlock.
They would include appointing two new members to the Independent Police Complaints Council, getting ministers to reach out to the community in an attempt to address discontent, and asking experts, academics and community leaders to examine and review problems in society. “Let’s replace conflicts with conversations,” she said.
It has to be asked why the concessions have only come after 13 consecutive weeks of protests across the city, some of which erupted into extreme violence.
Following huge rallies in June, Lam only offered to suspend the bill, but then caved in further to declare it “dead”.
