Following widespread criticism of the Hong Kong police force using violent methods to disperse protesters opposing a controversial extradition bill, the city’s pro-Beijing lawmakers and top officials made public comments on June 14 expressing that they supported putting the bill on hold.
The change in tone represented an indirect concession. The bill, which would amend current laws to allow any country, including mainland China, to seek extradition of criminal suspects, has drawn broad opposition within Hong Kong society, with many fearing that given China’s disregard for rule of law, the proposal could allow the Chinese regime to charge with impunity, while further eroding the city’s freedoms and autonomy since it was reverted from British to Chinese rule 22 years ago.
