Hong Kong indefinitely suspends debate on an extradition bill that triggered massive protests.
Laurel Chor and Linda Givetash
HONG KONG — Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Saturday announced the government would suspend debate on a controversial extradition bill that"We decided that it was important to return society to peace," Lam told reporters, referring to the huge demonstrations.The announcement represented a major victory for protesters in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
The climb down followed formal warnings from U.S. and European officials, with international business and human rights groups saying the changes would hurt the rule of law in Hong Kong, which was handed back to Chinese rule in 1997 amid guarantees of autonomy. Hong Kong enjoys greater freedoms than mainland China under a"one country, two systems" framework. Residents can freely surf the internet and participate in public protests, unlike in the mainland."The council will halt its work in relation to the bill until our work in communication, explanation and listening to opinions is completed," she said, adding that the government also had other priorities, including an expected economic downturn.
The controversial bill had been introduced in response to a murder case in Taiwan where the suspect fled back to Hong Kong, revealing what Lam described as a"loophole in our regime with respect to mutual legal assistance on criminal matters."
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