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Carrie Lam vows to press on with controversial extradition bill despite mass protest but tries to pacify dissenters
- City’s chief executive speaks out day after hundreds of thousands of protesters took to streets
- Lam thanks those who took part, saying scrutiny is important part of ‘governance of Hong Kong’
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Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor vowed on Monday to press ahead with a controversial extradition bill a day after a historic protest, even as she sought to pacify the demonstrators.
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The chief executive said she understood why they marched and pledged to allay fears over the legislation through four measures, including improving communication on the bill between her administration and the public, and reporting regularly to the legislature on extradition decisions.
Sticking to her guns a day after Hong Kong witnessed the biggest demonstration since the 1997 handover, Lam insisted the legislation was necessary to prevent the city from becoming a haven for fugitives.
She also argued further delays to the bill’s passage would only sow “more anxiety and divisiveness in society”.
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During a 45-minute press conference, Lam waved aside calls for her to resign but appeared emotional at times.
Later in the day, Beijing again lent its support to her government to pass the unpopular bill, scheduled for another debate in the Legislative Council on Wednesday.
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