Activist Joshua Wong, who has become the face of Hong Kong's push for full democracy, walked free from prison on Monday and vowed to join a mass protest movement demanding that the city's Beijing-backed leader, Carrie Lam, steps down.

'Carrie Lam must step down,' says freed Hong Kong activist

Hundreds of thousands of people clogged the streets in central <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-march-in-hong-kong-demanding-scrapping-of-extradition-bill-227510">Hong Kong on Sunday dressed</a> in black to demand the city's leader step down, a day after she suspended an extradition bill in a dramatic retreat following the most violent protests in decades.

The massive rally saw some protesters carry white carnation flowers, while others held banners saying, "Do not shoot, we are HongKonger," as they sought to avoid a repeat of the violence that rocked the financial centre on Wednesday when police fired rubber bullets and tear gas.

The protesters, including young families as well as the elderly, formed a sea of black along roads, walkways and train stations across Hong Kong's financial centre to vent their frustration and anger at<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-braces-for-huge-rally-after-leader-climbdown-227457"> Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam</a>.

Loud cheers rang out when activists called through loud hailers for Lam to step down and "step down" echoed through the streets. Protesters also chanted "pursue the black police", angry at what they say was an overreaction by police that left more than 70 people injured in Wednesday's violent protest.

Beijing-backed Lam on Saturday indefinitely delayed the extradition bill that could send people to mainland China to face trial, expressing "deep sorrow and regret" although she stopped short of apologising.

The about-face was one of the most significant political turnarounds by the Hong Kong government since Britain returned the territory to China in 1997, and it threw into question Lam's ability to continue to lead the city.

Watch: Hong Kong | The Extradition bill | The march of mass protest and anger

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"Carrie Lam refused to apologise yesterday. It's unacceptable," said 16-year-old Catherine Cheung. "She's a terrible leader who is full of lies ... I think she's only delaying the bill now to trick us into calming down."

Her classmate, Cindy Yip, said: "That's why we're still demanding the bill be scrapped. We don't trust her anymore. She has to quit."

Critics say the planned extradition law could threaten Hong Kong's rule of law and its international reputation as an Asian financial hub. Some Hong Kong tycoons have already started moving personal wealth offshore.

Activist investor David Webb, in a newsletter on Sunday, said if Lam was a stock he would recommend shorting her with a target price of zero.

"Call it the Carrie trade. She has irrevocably lost the public's trust," Webb said.

"Her minders in Beijing, while expressing public support for now, have clearly lined her up for the chop by distancing themselves from the proposal in recent days."

China's Communist Party mouthpiece, the People's Daily, said in a commentary on Sunday that central authorities expressed "firm support" for Lam.

The protests have plunged Hong Kong into political crisis, just as months of pro-democracy "Occupy" demonstrations did in 2014, heaping pressure on Lam's administration and her official backers in Beijing.

The turmoil comes at a difficult time for Beijing, which is already grappling with an escalating U.S. trade war, a faltering economy and tensions in the South China Sea.

Chinese censors have been working hard to erase or block news of the Hong Kong protests, wary that any large public rallies could inspire protests in the mainland.

The violent clashes near the heart of the financial centre on Wednesday grabbed global headlines and forced some shops and banks, including HSBC, to shut branches.

Activists on Sunday pasted hundreds of fliers and notes to a wall near the protest site, with some reading, "Stop shooting innocent people", and "Use your brain, violence is insane".

At the start of the march, protesters paused for a minute's silence to remember an activist who died from a fall on Saturday near the site of the recent demonstrations.

In the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own, about 5,000 people rallied outside the parliament building in Taipei with banners saying, "No China extradition law" and "Taiwan supports Hong Kong."

Some of the protesters in Hong Kong also waved Taiwan flags.

The city's independent legal system was guaranteed under laws governing Hong Kong's return from British to Chinese rule 22 years ago, and is seen by business and diplomatic communities as its strong remaining asset amid encroachments from Beijing.

Hong Kong has been governed under a "one country, two systems" formula since its return to Beijing, allowing freedoms not enjoyed on mainland China but not a fully democratic vote.

Many accuse Beijing of extensive meddling since then, including obstruction of democratic reforms, interference with elections and of being behind the disappearance of five Hong Kong-based booksellers, starting in 2015, who specialised in works critical of Chinese leaders.

Some opponents of the extradition bill said a suspension was not enough and want it scrapped and Lam to go.

"If she refuses to scrap this controversial bill altogether, it would mean we wouldn't retreat. She stays on, we stay on," said pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo.

Asked repeatedly on Saturday if she would step down, Lam avoided answering directly and appealed to the public to "give us another chance." Lam said she had been a civil servant for decades and still had work she wanted to do.

Lam's reversal was hailed by business groups including the American Chamber of Commerce, which had spoken out strongly against the bill, and overseas governments.

The UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter: "Well done HK Government for heeding concerns of the brave citizens who have stood up for their human rights".

China's top newspaper on Sunday condemned "anti-China lackeys" of foreign forces in Hong Kong.

"Certain people in Hong Kong have been relying on foreigners or relying on young people to build themselves up, serving as the pawns and lackeys of foreign anti-China forces," the ruling People's Daily said in a commentary.

"This is resolutely opposed by the whole of the Chinese people including the vast majority of Hong Kong compatriots."

The Hong Kong protests have been the largest in the city since crowds came out against the bloody suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations centred around Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.

Lam had said the extradition law was necessary to prevent criminals using Hong Kong as a place to hide and that human rights would be protected by the city's court which would decide on the extraditions on a case-by-case basis.

Critics, including leading lawyers and rights groups, note China's justice system is controlled by the Communist Party, and say it is marked by torture and forced confessions, arbitrary detention and poor access to lawyers.

Hundreds of thousands of people clogged the streets in central Hong Kong on Sunday dressed in black to demand the city's leader step down, a day after she suspended an extradition bill in a dramatic retreat following the most violent protests in decades.

Hundreds of thousands of people clogged the streets in central Hong Kong on Sunday dressed in black to demand the city's leader step down, a day after she suspended an extradition bill in a dramatic retreat following the most violent protests in decades. The massive rally saw some protesters carry white carnation flowers, while others held banners saying, "Do not shoot, we are HongKonger," as they sought to avoid a repeat of the violence that rocked the financial centre on Wednesday when police fired rubber bullets and tear gas. The protesters, including young families as well as the elderly, formed a sea of black along roads, walkways and train stations across Hong Kong's financial centre to vent their frustration and anger at Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam. Loud cheers rang out when activists called through loud hailers for Lam to step down and "step down" echoed through the streets. Protesters also chanted "pursue the black police", angry at what they say was an overreaction by police that left more than 70 people injured in Wednesday's violent protest. Beijing-backed Lam on Saturday indefinitely delayed the extradition bill that could send people to mainland China to face trial, expressing "deep sorrow and regret" although she stopped short of apologising. The about-face was one of the most significant political turnarounds by the Hong Kong government since Britain returned the territory to China in 1997, and it threw into question Lam's ability to continue to lead the city. Watch: Hong Kong | The Extradition bill | The march of mass protest and anger × "Carrie Lam refused to apologise yesterday. It's unacceptable," said 16-year-old Catherine Cheung. "She's a terrible leader who is full of lies ... I think she's only delaying the bill now to trick us into calming down." Her classmate, Cindy Yip, said: "That's why we're still demanding the bill be scrapped. We don't trust her anymore. She has to quit." Critics say the planned extradition law could threaten Hong Kong's rule of law and its international reputation as an Asian financial hub. Some Hong Kong tycoons have already started moving personal wealth offshore. Activist investor David Webb, in a newsletter on Sunday, said if Lam was a stock he would recommend shorting her with a target price of zero. "Call it the Carrie trade. She has irrevocably lost the public's trust," Webb said. "Her minders in Beijing, while expressing public support for now, have clearly lined her up for the chop by distancing themselves from the proposal in recent days." China's Communist Party mouthpiece, the People's Daily, said in a commentary on Sunday that central authorities expressed "firm support" for Lam. The protests have plunged Hong Kong into political crisis, just as months of pro-democracy "Occupy" demonstrations did in 2014, heaping pressure on Lam's administration and her official backers in Beijing. The turmoil comes at a difficult time for Beijing, which is already grappling with an escalating U.S. trade war, a faltering economy and tensions in the South China Sea. Chinese censors have been working hard to erase or block news of the Hong Kong protests, wary that any large public rallies could inspire protests in the mainland. The violent clashes near the heart of the financial centre on Wednesday grabbed global headlines and forced some shops and banks, including HSBC, to shut branches. Activists on Sunday pasted hundreds of fliers and notes to a wall near the protest site, with some reading, "Stop shooting innocent people", and "Use your brain, violence is insane". At the start of the march, protesters paused for a minute's silence to remember an activist who died from a fall on Saturday near the site of the recent demonstrations. In the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own, about 5,000 people rallied outside the parliament building in Taipei with banners saying, "No China extradition law" and "Taiwan supports Hong Kong." Some of the protesters in Hong Kong also waved Taiwan flags. The city's independent legal system was guaranteed under laws governing Hong Kong's return from British to Chinese rule 22 years ago, and is seen by business and diplomatic communities as its strong remaining asset amid encroachments from Beijing. Hong Kong has been governed under a "one country, two systems" formula since its return to Beijing, allowing freedoms not enjoyed on mainland China but not a fully democratic vote. Many accuse Beijing of extensive meddling since then, including obstruction of democratic reforms, interference with elections and of being behind the disappearance of five Hong Kong-based booksellers, starting in 2015, who specialised in works critical of Chinese leaders. Some opponents of the extradition bill said a suspension was not enough and want it scrapped and Lam to go. "If she refuses to scrap this controversial bill altogether, it would mean we wouldn't retreat. She stays on, we stay on," said pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo. Asked repeatedly on Saturday if she would step down, Lam avoided answering directly and appealed to the public to "give us another chance." Lam said she had been a civil servant for decades and still had work she wanted to do. Lam's reversal was hailed by business groups including the American Chamber of Commerce, which had spoken out strongly against the bill, and overseas governments. The UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter: "Well done HK Government for heeding concerns of the brave citizens who have stood up for their human rights". China's top newspaper on Sunday condemned "anti-China lackeys" of foreign forces in Hong Kong. "Certain people in Hong Kong have been relying on foreigners or relying on young people to build themselves up, serving as the pawns and lackeys of foreign anti-China forces," the ruling People's Daily said in a commentary. "This is resolutely opposed by the whole of the Chinese people including the vast majority of Hong Kong compatriots." The Hong Kong protests have been the largest in the city since crowds came out against the bloody suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations centred around Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. Lam had said the extradition law was necessary to prevent criminals using Hong Kong as a place to hide and that human rights would be protected by the city's court which would decide on the extraditions on a case-by-case basis. Critics, including leading lawyers and rights groups, note China's justice system is controlled by the Communist Party, and say it is marked by torture and forced confessions, arbitrary detention and poor access to lawyers.

Protesters clog streets in Hong Kong; demand Carrie Lam's resignation

Hong Kong is bracing for another mass rally Sunday as public anger seethes following unprecedented clashes between protesters and police over a controversial extradition law, despite a climbdown by the city's embattled leader.

Organisers are hoping for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-backs-suspension-of-hong-kong-extradition-bill-227355">another mammoth turnout</a> as they vowed to keep pressure on chief executive Carrie Lam, who suspended work on the hugely divisive bill Saturday after days of mounting pressure, saying she had misjudged the public mood.&nbsp;

Critics fear the Beijing-backed law will tangle people up in China's notoriously opaque and politicised courts as well as hammer the city's reputation as a safe business hub.

The international finance hub was rocked by the worst political violence since its 1997 handover to China on Wednesday as tens of thousands of protesters were dispersed by riot police firing tear gas and rubber bullets.

Lam stopped short of committing to permanently scrapping the proposal and the concession was swiftly rejected by protest leaders, who called on her to resign, permanently shelve the bill and apologise for police tactics.

On Sunday afternoon, protesters will march from a park on the main island to the city's parliament -- a repeat of a massive rally a week earlier in which organisers said more than a million people turned out.

Lam's decision to ignore that record-breaking turnout and press ahead with tabling the bill for debate in the legislature on Wednesday was the spark that lit the clashes which brought parts of the financial hub to a standstill.

The protest movement has morphed in recent days from one specifically aimed at scrapping the extradition bill, to a wider movement of anger at Lam and Beijing over years of sliding freedoms.

"The pro-democracy group will not stop at this point, they want to build on the momentum against Carrie Lam," political analyst Willy Lam, told AFP. "They will keep the heat on and ride the momentum."&nbsp;

Police said they had no choice but to use force to meet hardcore violent protesters who had besieged their lines outside the city's parliament on Wednesday.

But critics -- including legal and rights groups -- say officers used a small minority of violent protesters to launch a sweeping security crackdown against predominantly young, peaceful protesters and clear the streets.

Anger has also been fanned by Lam and senior officers calling those in the streets "rioters".&nbsp;

Protest leaders have called for police to drop charges against anyone arrested for rioting and other offences linked to Wednesday's clashes.

Lam has argued that Hong Kong needs to end the lack of an extradition agreement with the mainland and says safeguards were in place to ensure dissidents or political cases would not be accepted.

Opposition to the bill united an unusually wide cross-section of Hong Kong from influential legal and business bodies, to religious leaders and western nations.

Hong Kong is bracing for another mass rally Sunday as public anger seethes following unprecedented clashes between protesters and police over a controversial extradition law, despite a climbdown by the city's embattled leader.

Hong Kong is bracing for another mass rally Sunday as public anger seethes following unprecedented clashes between protesters and police over a controversial extradition law, despite a climbdown by the city's embattled leader. Organisers are hoping for another mammoth turnout as they vowed to keep pressure on chief executive Carrie Lam, who suspended work on the hugely divisive bill Saturday after days of mounting pressure, saying she had misjudged the public mood. Critics fear the Beijing-backed law will tangle people up in China's notoriously opaque and politicised courts as well as hammer the city's reputation as a safe business hub. The international finance hub was rocked by the worst political violence since its 1997 handover to China on Wednesday as tens of thousands of protesters were dispersed by riot police firing tear gas and rubber bullets. Lam stopped short of committing to permanently scrapping the proposal and the concession was swiftly rejected by protest leaders, who called on her to resign, permanently shelve the bill and apologise for police tactics. On Sunday afternoon, protesters will march from a park on the main island to the city's parliament -- a repeat of a massive rally a week earlier in which organisers said more than a million people turned out. Lam's decision to ignore that record-breaking turnout and press ahead with tabling the bill for debate in the legislature on Wednesday was the spark that lit the clashes which brought parts of the financial hub to a standstill. The protest movement has morphed in recent days from one specifically aimed at scrapping the extradition bill, to a wider movement of anger at Lam and Beijing over years of sliding freedoms. "The pro-democracy group will not stop at this point, they want to build on the momentum against Carrie Lam," political analyst Willy Lam, told AFP. "They will keep the heat on and ride the momentum." Police said they had no choice but to use force to meet hardcore violent protesters who had besieged their lines outside the city's parliament on Wednesday. But critics -- including legal and rights groups -- say officers used a small minority of violent protesters to launch a sweeping security crackdown against predominantly young, peaceful protesters and clear the streets. Anger has also been fanned by Lam and senior officers calling those in the streets "rioters". Protest leaders have called for police to drop charges against anyone arrested for rioting and other offences linked to Wednesday's clashes. Lam has argued that Hong Kong needs to end the lack of an extradition agreement with the mainland and says safeguards were in place to ensure dissidents or political cases would not be accepted. Opposition to the bill united an unusually wide cross-section of Hong Kong from influential legal and business bodies, to religious leaders and western nations.

Hong Kong braces for huge rally after leader climbdown

Hong Kong's embattled leader on Saturday suspended a hugely divisive bill that would allow extraditions to China in a major climbdown following unprecedented unrest, but protesters vowed to press ahead with a mass Sunday rally.

The international finance hub was rocked by the worst political violence since its 1997 handover to China on Wednesday as tens of thousands of protesters were dispersed by riot police firing tear gas and rubber bullets.

Those clashes came three days after chief executive Carrie Lam refused to be budged by a record-breaking rally in which organisers said more than a million people marched through the streets calling for the Beijing-backed bill to be scrapped.

After days of mounting pressure -- including from her own allies -- Lam relented on Saturday, announcing that work on the bill would be halted.

She set no deadline for its reintroduction but stopped short of saying it was permanently scrapped.&nbsp;

The decision was a rare concession from the city's pro-Beijing leaders who have successfully faced down demands from pro-democracy demonstrators in recent years.

But opponents were unmoved and said they would go ahead with a march on Sunday afternoon, hoping another huge turnout will pile more pressure on the city's beleaguered leader.

'Pull out the knife'

Protest leaders called for Lam to step down and said they would only be mollified by a permanent cancellation of the extradition law.

They also demanded police drop rioting charges against protesters and for authorities to apologise for using "excessive force", accusation officers deny.

Jimmy Sham, from the main protest group the Civil Human Rights Front, likened the extradition bill to a "knife" that had been plunged into the city.&nbsp;

"It's almost reached our heart. Now the government said they won't push it, but they also refuse to pull it out," he added.

Lam -- who are appointed by a committee stacked with Beijing loyalists -- said she had no plans to resign. She defended the need to overhaul the city's extradition laws and said she retained the support of China's central government.&nbsp;

But she admitted her team had misjudged the public mood.

"I feel deep sorrow and regret that the deficiencies in our work and various other factors have stirred up substantial controversies and disputes in society following the relatively calm periods of the past two years," she said.

The unprecedented chaos in Hong Kong came at a sensitive time for China, already on edge over the 30th anniversary of the deadly Tiananmen Square crackdown.

"We support, respect and understand this decision," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a statement.

Temporary Truce

Political analyst Dixon Sing said tensions would likely dissipate in the short term if Sunday's rally remains calm.&nbsp;

"In the next few months there will be at least a truce," he told AFP. "But the anxiety that this draft bill will be passed in the future, that will remain for quite some time."

Jason Ng, from the Progressive Lawyers Group, said protesters were incensed by Lam's refusal "to take responsibility for the excessive police force unleashed on protesters and for tearing society asunder."

"This is unlikely to mollify civil society and we are expecting another big turnout at the march tomorrow," he told AFP.&nbsp;

Opposition to the Beijing-backed bill united an unusually wide cross-section of Hong Kong from influential legal and business bodies to religious leaders, western nations and the huge crowds hitting the streets.

Critics feared the law would tangle people up in China's notoriously opaque and politicised courts as well as hammer the city's reputation as a safe business hub.&nbsp;

But the furore was also the latest expression of public anger over fears that an increasingly assertive Beijing is stamping down on the city's freedoms and unique culture.

Under a 1997 deal signed with Britain, China allowed Hong Kong to keep key liberties denied to people on the mainland, like freedom of speech and independent courts, for 50 years.&nbsp;

Yet critics accuse Beijing of reneging on the deal with the complicity of the city's unelected leaders.

They point to the huge 2014 pro-democracy "Umbrella Movement" that failed to win any concessions, the imprisonment of protest leaders and the banning of some critics from standing for election, as recent examples.&nbsp;

The writing on the wall began to emerge for Lam on Friday when she found herself facing growing calls from within her own political camp to reverse course and tamp down spiralling public anger -- including from hardline pro-Beijing lawmakers.

Beijing had vocally supported the bill and earlier this week threw its full support behind the Lam administration, calling protesters "rioters".

But it has since sought to distance itself, with China's envoy to Britain saying the idea for the bill came entirely from the Lam administration.&nbsp;

Hong Kong's embattled leader on Saturday suspended a hugely divisive bill that would allow extraditions to China in a major climbdown following unprecedented unrest, but protesters vowed to press ahead with a mass Sunday rally.

Hong Kong's embattled leader on Saturday suspended a hugely divisive bill that would allow extraditions to China in a major climbdown following unprecedented unrest, but protesters vowed to press ahead with a mass Sunday rally. The international finance hub was rocked by the worst political violence since its 1997 handover to China on Wednesday as tens of thousands of protesters were dispersed by riot police firing tear gas and rubber bullets. Those clashes came three days after chief executive Carrie Lam refused to be budged by a record-breaking rally in which organisers said more than a million people marched through the streets calling for the Beijing-backed bill to be scrapped. After days of mounting pressure -- including from her own allies -- Lam relented on Saturday, announcing that work on the bill would be halted. She set no deadline for its reintroduction but stopped short of saying it was permanently scrapped. The decision was a rare concession from the city's pro-Beijing leaders who have successfully faced down demands from pro-democracy demonstrators in recent years. But opponents were unmoved and said they would go ahead with a march on Sunday afternoon, hoping another huge turnout will pile more pressure on the city's beleaguered leader. 'Pull out the knife' Protest leaders called for Lam to step down and said they would only be mollified by a permanent cancellation of the extradition law. They also demanded police drop rioting charges against protesters and for authorities to apologise for using "excessive force", accusation officers deny. Jimmy Sham, from the main protest group the Civil Human Rights Front, likened the extradition bill to a "knife" that had been plunged into the city. "It's almost reached our heart. Now the government said they won't push it, but they also refuse to pull it out," he added. Lam -- who are appointed by a committee stacked with Beijing loyalists -- said she had no plans to resign. She defended the need to overhaul the city's extradition laws and said she retained the support of China's central government. But she admitted her team had misjudged the public mood. "I feel deep sorrow and regret that the deficiencies in our work and various other factors have stirred up substantial controversies and disputes in society following the relatively calm periods of the past two years," she said. The unprecedented chaos in Hong Kong came at a sensitive time for China, already on edge over the 30th anniversary of the deadly Tiananmen Square crackdown. "We support, respect and understand this decision," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a statement. Temporary Truce Political analyst Dixon Sing said tensions would likely dissipate in the short term if Sunday's rally remains calm. "In the next few months there will be at least a truce," he told AFP. "But the anxiety that this draft bill will be passed in the future, that will remain for quite some time." Jason Ng, from the Progressive Lawyers Group, said protesters were incensed by Lam's refusal "to take responsibility for the excessive police force unleashed on protesters and for tearing society asunder." "This is unlikely to mollify civil society and we are expecting another big turnout at the march tomorrow," he told AFP. Opposition to the Beijing-backed bill united an unusually wide cross-section of Hong Kong from influential legal and business bodies to religious leaders, western nations and the huge crowds hitting the streets. Critics feared the law would tangle people up in China's notoriously opaque and politicised courts as well as hammer the city's reputation as a safe business hub. But the furore was also the latest expression of public anger over fears that an increasingly assertive Beijing is stamping down on the city's freedoms and unique culture. Under a 1997 deal signed with Britain, China allowed Hong Kong to keep key liberties denied to people on the mainland, like freedom of speech and independent courts, for 50 years. Yet critics accuse Beijing of reneging on the deal with the complicity of the city's unelected leaders. They point to the huge 2014 pro-democracy "Umbrella Movement" that failed to win any concessions, the imprisonment of protest leaders and the banning of some critics from standing for election, as recent examples. The writing on the wall began to emerge for Lam on Friday when she found herself facing growing calls from within her own political camp to reverse course and tamp down spiralling public anger -- including from hardline pro-Beijing lawmakers. Beijing had vocally supported the bill and earlier this week threw its full support behind the Lam administration, calling protesters "rioters". But it has since sought to distance itself, with China's envoy to Britain saying the idea for the bill came entirely from the Lam administration.

Hong Kong leader halts extradition bill but opponents vow fresh rally

Carrie Lam vowed to heal divisions and listen to the city's youth when she became Hong Kong's leader, promises that lie in tatters after tear gas and pepper spray sent them running for cover when they dared raise their voice.&nbsp;

The 62-year-old devout Catholic took over in March 2017 when a committee stacked with Beijing loyalists voted her into office -- the first time a woman had been elevated to the international finance hub's top job.

In her acceptance speech, she vowed to be more responsive to the city's youngsters, a restless demographic at the forefront of recent calls for greater democratic freedoms and measures to combat rising inequality.

"Hong Kong, our home, is suffering from quite a serious divisiveness and has accumulated a lot of frustrations," she said in her acceptance speech. "My priority will be to heal the divide."&nbsp;

Two years on and Hong Kong has been convulsed by its largest mass rally followed by the worst political violence in decades.

The spark that lit these flames was a push by Lam's government to fast track a bill allowing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-why-proposed-changes-to-hong-kongs-extradition-law-are-fuelling-protests-227269">extraditions</a> to mainland China.

But the protests are also the latest explosion of an anger building for years over how the city is run by its pro-Beijing administrators.

When she took office, Lam was already loathed by the city's pro-democracy camp because she had been deputy to her deeply unpopular predecessor, CY Leung, during the failed 2014 Umbrella Movement protests.

She was widely tipped as Beijing's preferred candidate to replace him and easily saw off her rivals.

Low ratings

The rhetoric of Hong Kong's political scene is often unforgiving and Lam has long faced unflattering -- and often misogynistic -- insults.

One of her nicknames -- a pun on her family name -- was "lai-ma" or wet nurse, a jibe over what her opponents said was a fawning loyalty towards her former boss Leung.

After her appointment, she was quickly dubbed "777" by detractors.&nbsp;

That nickname is a reference to the number of votes she secured in the 1,194 strong committee that chooses Hong Kong's leader -- but in Cantonese, the word for seven also sounds very close to a slang term for male genitalia.

Lam has struggled with low approval ratings for much of her term.

The latest poll by the University of Hong Kong -- taken before both this week’s violence and Sunday’s record anti-extradition march -- showed her with an approval rating of 32 per cent and a disapproval rate of 57 per cent.

None of her three post-handover predecessors had ratings that low two years into their tenures -- although Leung had hit a lower point at 17 months.

'Personal sacrifices'

Born into a low-income family, Lam stood out at her Catholic school and later attended Cambridge University on government funding.

She began her career in the colonial civil service and rose up the ranks in the post-handover period, earning herself a reputation for being a fighter and a committed Beijing loyalist.

During the 2014 pro-democracy protests, she was often the face of the government, debating student leaders and insisting their demand to directly elect the city’s leader would not be met.

When she won the top job three years later she said she hoped to leave the political rancour of that period behind.&nbsp;

During a debate with the rivals, she beat for the job she vowed to be responsive to public opinion.&nbsp;

"If mainstream opinion makes me no longer able to continue the job as chief executive, I’ll resign," she declared.

Lam is not known for showing emotion but in an interview filmed Wednesday morning, before the violence erupted, she broke down as she talked about the personal toll of being a leader.

"My love for this place has led me to make a number of sacrifices," she said, tears welling up as she rejected suggestions she had "sold out" her city.

Later that evening -- as battles between police and protesters continued -- &nbsp;her office put out a new video statement and the steely resolve was back.

"It's obvious that these are not peaceful rallies, but openly organised riots," she said.

But as the week progressed, pressure built on her administration, with even political allies and advisors telling her to shelve the bill to calm public anger.

On Saturday afternoon, she did just that, announcing the bill would be suspended and issuing a mea culpa that she had misjudged the public mood.&nbsp;

She did not, however, offer to resign.&nbsp;

Carrie Lam vowed to heal divisions and listen to the city's youth when she became Hong Kong's leader, promises that lie in tatters after tear gas and pepper spray sent them running for cover when they dared raise their voice.

Carrie Lam vowed to heal divisions and listen to the city's youth when she became Hong Kong's leader, promises that lie in tatters after tear gas and pepper spray sent them running for cover when they dared raise their voice. The 62-year-old devout Catholic took over in March 2017 when a committee stacked with Beijing loyalists voted her into office -- the first time a woman had been elevated to the international finance hub's top job. In her acceptance speech, she vowed to be more responsive to the city's youngsters, a restless demographic at the forefront of recent calls for greater democratic freedoms and measures to combat rising inequality. "Hong Kong, our home, is suffering from quite a serious divisiveness and has accumulated a lot of frustrations," she said in her acceptance speech. "My priority will be to heal the divide." Two years on and Hong Kong has been convulsed by its largest mass rally followed by the worst political violence in decades. The spark that lit these flames was a push by Lam's government to fast track a bill allowing extraditions to mainland China. But the protests are also the latest explosion of an anger building for years over how the city is run by its pro-Beijing administrators. When she took office, Lam was already loathed by the city's pro-democracy camp because she had been deputy to her deeply unpopular predecessor, CY Leung, during the failed 2014 Umbrella Movement protests. She was widely tipped as Beijing's preferred candidate to replace him and easily saw off her rivals. Low ratings The rhetoric of Hong Kong's political scene is often unforgiving and Lam has long faced unflattering -- and often misogynistic -- insults. One of her nicknames -- a pun on her family name -- was "lai-ma" or wet nurse, a jibe over what her opponents said was a fawning loyalty towards her former boss Leung. After her appointment, she was quickly dubbed "777" by detractors. That nickname is a reference to the number of votes she secured in the 1,194 strong committee that chooses Hong Kong's leader -- but in Cantonese, the word for seven also sounds very close to a slang term for male genitalia. Lam has struggled with low approval ratings for much of her term. The latest poll by the University of Hong Kong -- taken before both this week’s violence and Sunday’s record anti-extradition march -- showed her with an approval rating of 32 per cent and a disapproval rate of 57 per cent. None of her three post-handover predecessors had ratings that low two years into their tenures -- although Leung had hit a lower point at 17 months. 'Personal sacrifices' Born into a low-income family, Lam stood out at her Catholic school and later attended Cambridge University on government funding. She began her career in the colonial civil service and rose up the ranks in the post-handover period, earning herself a reputation for being a fighter and a committed Beijing loyalist. During the 2014 pro-democracy protests, she was often the face of the government, debating student leaders and insisting their demand to directly elect the city’s leader would not be met. When she won the top job three years later she said she hoped to leave the political rancour of that period behind. During a debate with the rivals, she beat for the job she vowed to be responsive to public opinion. "If mainstream opinion makes me no longer able to continue the job as chief executive, I’ll resign," she declared. Lam is not known for showing emotion but in an interview filmed Wednesday morning, before the violence erupted, she broke down as she talked about the personal toll of being a leader. "My love for this place has led me to make a number of sacrifices," she said, tears welling up as she rejected suggestions she had "sold out" her city. Later that evening -- as battles between police and protesters continued -- her office put out a new video statement and the steely resolve was back. "It's obvious that these are not peaceful rallies, but openly organised riots," she said. But as the week progressed, pressure built on her administration, with even political allies and advisors telling her to shelve the bill to calm public anger. On Saturday afternoon, she did just that, announcing the bill would be suspended and issuing a mea culpa that she had misjudged the public mood. She did not, however, offer to resign.

Carrie Lam: Hong Kong's divisive, pro-Beijing leader

Hong Kong was rocked Wednesday by the worst <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-use-tear-gas-as-protesters-try-to-storm-parliament-226502">political unrest </a>since its handover to China, as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters who tried to storm parliament and blocked roads in the financial hub.

The violent protests were the latest expression of widespread public anger over the government's controversial Beijing-backed plan to allow extraditions to China.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-authorities-delay-debate-on-extradition-bill-after-mass-protests-226410">Clashes broke out</a> hours after tens of thousands of people seized key arteries in the morning rush hour and surrounded the city's parliament, forcing lawmakers to postpone a debate on the proposed law.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who is championing the law's passage, described the protests as "organised riots" and called for calm to be restored.

"The rioting actions that damage peaceful society, ignoring law and discipline is unacceptable for any civilised societies," she said in a video statement.

Police earlier used tear gas, rubber bullets and batons to battle crowds of black-clad demonstrators -- most of them young people and students -- demanding authorities scrap the Beijing-backed law.

The scenes echoed the pro-democracy "Umbrella Movement" of 2014 where protesters calling for greater democratic rights shut down swathes of the city for two months and battled police, but won no concessions from Beijing.&nbsp;

Watch: Hong Kong's largest protest since 1997

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This time police appeared determined not to let protesters hold any ground while the young demonstrators responded in kind, hurling projectiles including metal poles, bottles and bricks.

Tear gas sent the crowds scattering, but riot police continued to fight cat and mouse battles with their opponents into the evening, pushing them down towards the city's commercial centre and bringing it to a standstill.

Authorities said 22 people were injured, with wounded police and protesters seen being carried away.&nbsp;

Unprecedented scenes

Hong Kong has been convulsed by political unrest in recent years as fears surge that Beijing is trying to stamp on the city's unique freedoms and culture.

But Wednesday's violence was an unprecedented escalation of the conflict.

"In terms of the level of violence, today has been the most serious since the 1997 handover," political analyst Dixon Sing told AFP, citing the sustained use of tear gas, rubber bullets and bean bag rounds, as well as the willingness of protesters to take on the police.&nbsp;

"Today's events reflect a huge gap in the confidence Hong Kong people have towards the government. They increasingly believe the Hong Kong government are a bunch of puppets serving the interests of Beijing," he added.

The proposed law would allow Hong Kong to send suspects to other jurisdictions around the world -- including China.

Hong Kong's leaders say it is needed to plug loopholes and to stop the city being a sanctuary for fugitives. They say safeguards are in place to ensure that political critics of Beijing will not be targeted.

But it is deeply unpopular, with fears people will become entangled in the mainland's opaque courts, leaving them vulnerable to a justice system seen as acting at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party.

Opposition to the bill has united an unusually wide cross-section of the city in recent weeks, from influential businessmen and lawyers, to religious groups, student unions and workers.

On Sunday record crowds of around one million marched against the law.&nbsp;

That rally, however, failed to move pro-Beijing Lam, who has rejected calls to withdraw the bill and vowed to fast track it through the legislature.

"The protest today took place solely because Carrie Lam ignored the voice of 1.03 million people, and refused to withdraw the Extradition Bill," the Civil Human Rights Front protest group said late Wednesday, accusing the police of being overly aggressive and halting people's ability to protest.&nbsp;

Police chief Stephen Lo defended his officers, saying they had shown restraint until "mobsters" tried to storm parliament.&nbsp;

"These violent protesters kept charging at our line of defence, and used very dangerous weapons, including... throwing metal barricades at us and throwing bricks," he said.

But Amnesty International said police "took advantage of the violent acts of a small minority as a pretext to use excessive force against the vast majority of peaceful protesters."&nbsp;

Hong Kong's stock market sank nearly 1.8 per cent on Wednesday in the city-wide turmoil while the parliament cancelled the scheduled debate. But authorities are determined to have the law on the books as soon as possible.&nbsp;

Protesters have vowed to keep hitting the streets until the bill is shelved.&nbsp;

"The only responsible thing to do now is for Carrie Lam to withdraw the evil bill, or at least to shelve it in order to solve the crisis," said pro-democracy lawmaker Fernando Cheung.

"I will keep fighting," protester Kevin Leung, 20, told AFP late Wednesday. "Until our goal is achieved, we will keep going."

Many western nations have criticised the bill, while Beijing has voiced support.

Under the handover agreement with Britain, China allowed Hong Kong to retain the freedoms and an independent judiciary that were integral to its economic success for 50 years.&nbsp;

But there are fears China is reneging on that deal, a slide that critics say has worsened since President Xi Jinping's ushered in an era of more authoritarian rule on the mainland.&nbsp;

Hong Kong was rocked Wednesday by the worst political unrest since its handover to China, as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters who tried to storm parliament and blocked roads in the financial hub.

Hong Kong was rocked Wednesday by the worst political unrest since its handover to China, as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters who tried to storm parliament and blocked roads in the financial hub. The violent protests were the latest expression of widespread public anger over the government's controversial Beijing-backed plan to allow extraditions to China. Clashes broke out hours after tens of thousands of people seized key arteries in the morning rush hour and surrounded the city's parliament, forcing lawmakers to postpone a debate on the proposed law. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who is championing the law's passage, described the protests as "organised riots" and called for calm to be restored. "The rioting actions that damage peaceful society, ignoring law and discipline is unacceptable for any civilised societies," she said in a video statement. Police earlier used tear gas, rubber bullets and batons to battle crowds of black-clad demonstrators -- most of them young people and students -- demanding authorities scrap the Beijing-backed law. The scenes echoed the pro-democracy "Umbrella Movement" of 2014 where protesters calling for greater democratic rights shut down swathes of the city for two months and battled police, but won no concessions from Beijing. Watch: Hong Kong's largest protest since 1997 × This time police appeared determined not to let protesters hold any ground while the young demonstrators responded in kind, hurling projectiles including metal poles, bottles and bricks. Tear gas sent the crowds scattering, but riot police continued to fight cat and mouse battles with their opponents into the evening, pushing them down towards the city's commercial centre and bringing it to a standstill. Authorities said 22 people were injured, with wounded police and protesters seen being carried away. Unprecedented scenes Hong Kong has been convulsed by political unrest in recent years as fears surge that Beijing is trying to stamp on the city's unique freedoms and culture. But Wednesday's violence was an unprecedented escalation of the conflict. "In terms of the level of violence, today has been the most serious since the 1997 handover," political analyst Dixon Sing told AFP, citing the sustained use of tear gas, rubber bullets and bean bag rounds, as well as the willingness of protesters to take on the police. "Today's events reflect a huge gap in the confidence Hong Kong people have towards the government. They increasingly believe the Hong Kong government are a bunch of puppets serving the interests of Beijing," he added. The proposed law would allow Hong Kong to send suspects to other jurisdictions around the world -- including China. Hong Kong's leaders say it is needed to plug loopholes and to stop the city being a sanctuary for fugitives. They say safeguards are in place to ensure that political critics of Beijing will not be targeted. But it is deeply unpopular, with fears people will become entangled in the mainland's opaque courts, leaving them vulnerable to a justice system seen as acting at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party. Opposition to the bill has united an unusually wide cross-section of the city in recent weeks, from influential businessmen and lawyers, to religious groups, student unions and workers. On Sunday record crowds of around one million marched against the law. That rally, however, failed to move pro-Beijing Lam, who has rejected calls to withdraw the bill and vowed to fast track it through the legislature. "The protest today took place solely because Carrie Lam ignored the voice of 1.03 million people, and refused to withdraw the Extradition Bill," the Civil Human Rights Front protest group said late Wednesday, accusing the police of being overly aggressive and halting people's ability to protest. Police chief Stephen Lo defended his officers, saying they had shown restraint until "mobsters" tried to storm parliament. "These violent protesters kept charging at our line of defence, and used very dangerous weapons, including... throwing metal barricades at us and throwing bricks," he said. But Amnesty International said police "took advantage of the violent acts of a small minority as a pretext to use excessive force against the vast majority of peaceful protesters." Hong Kong's stock market sank nearly 1.8 per cent on Wednesday in the city-wide turmoil while the parliament cancelled the scheduled debate. But authorities are determined to have the law on the books as soon as possible. Protesters have vowed to keep hitting the streets until the bill is shelved. "The only responsible thing to do now is for Carrie Lam to withdraw the evil bill, or at least to shelve it in order to solve the crisis," said pro-democracy lawmaker Fernando Cheung. "I will keep fighting," protester Kevin Leung, 20, told AFP late Wednesday. "Until our goal is achieved, we will keep going." Many western nations have criticised the bill, while Beijing has voiced support. Under the handover agreement with Britain, China allowed Hong Kong to retain the freedoms and an independent judiciary that were integral to its economic success for 50 years. But there are fears China is reneging on that deal, a slide that critics say has worsened since President Xi Jinping's ushered in an era of more authoritarian rule on the mainland.

China extradition clashes: Hong Kong Chief Executive calls protests 'organised riots'

Protesters have blocked two main highways in central <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-braces-for-new-mass-protests-against-planned-extraditions-to-china-226334">Hong Kong in rallies</a> against a divisive government plan to allow extraditions to China.

Thousands of people occupied the two roads, bringing traffic to a standstill and mimicking tactics used in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/changes-in-fugitive-offenders-ordinance-could-undermine-hong-kongs-autonomy-us-226098">2014 in the Occupy movement</a> where key intersections were blocked for months.

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Chaotic scenes erupted in Hong Kong early on Wednesday as thousands of demonstrators stormed a key road next to government offices to protest against a proposed extradition bill that would allow people to be sent to mainland China for trial.

Television pictures showed thousands of protesters rallying in and around Lung Wo Road, an important east-west artery near the offices of Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, as hundreds of riot police warned them to stop advancing.

Some protesters erected barricades to block traffic in the heart of the Asian financial centre, with many defying police calls to retreat, in scenes reminiscent of pro-democracy protests that rocked the city in late 2014.

Embattled leader Lam said she would press ahead with the controversial legislation despite deep concerns across the Asian financial hub that triggered on Sunday its biggest political demonstration since its handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

Demonstrators from across a wide spectrum of Hong Kong society began joining the overnight protesters earlier on Wednesday as businesses across the city prepared to go on strike.

The bill, which has generated unusually broad opposition at home and abroad, is due for a second round of debate on Wednesday in Hong Kong's 70-seat Legislative Council. The legislature is controlled by a pro-Beijing majority.

Lam has sought to soothe public concerns and said her administration was creating additional amendments to the bill, including safeguarding human rights.

(With inputs from Reuters, AFP)

&nbsp;

Protesters have blocked two main highways in central Hong Kong in rallies against a divisive government plan to allow extraditions to China. Thousands of people occupied the two roads, bringing traffic to a standstill and mimicking tactics used in 2014 in the Occupy movement where key intersections were blocked for months.

Protesters have blocked two main highways in central Hong Kong in rallies against a divisive government plan to allow extraditions to China. Thousands of people occupied the two roads, bringing traffic to a standstill and mimicking tactics used in 2014 in the Occupy movement where key intersections were blocked for months. Chaotic scenes erupted in Hong Kong early on Wednesday as thousands of demonstrators stormed a key road next to government offices to protest against a proposed extradition bill that would allow people to be sent to mainland China for trial. Television pictures showed thousands of protesters rallying in and around Lung Wo Road, an important east-west artery near the offices of Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, as hundreds of riot police warned them to stop advancing. Some protesters erected barricades to block traffic in the heart of the Asian financial centre, with many defying police calls to retreat, in scenes reminiscent of pro-democracy protests that rocked the city in late 2014. Embattled leader Lam said she would press ahead with the controversial legislation despite deep concerns across the Asian financial hub that triggered on Sunday its biggest political demonstration since its handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997. Demonstrators from across a wide spectrum of Hong Kong society began joining the overnight protesters earlier on Wednesday as businesses across the city prepared to go on strike. The bill, which has generated unusually broad opposition at home and abroad, is due for a second round of debate on Wednesday in Hong Kong's 70-seat Legislative Council. The legislature is controlled by a pro-Beijing majority. Lam has sought to soothe public concerns and said her administration was creating additional amendments to the bill, including safeguarding human rights. (With inputs from Reuters, AFP)

Protesters block roads in Hong Kong in anti-China demonstration against extradition bill

Violent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-authorities-delay-debate-on-extradition-bill-after-mass-protests-226410">clashes broke out in Hong Kong</a> on Wednesday as police tried to stop protesters storming the city's parliament, while tens of thousands of people blocked key arteries in a show of strength against government plans to allow extraditions to China.

Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and batons to disperse crowds of black-clad demonstrators -- most of them young people and students -- calling for authorities to scrap the Beijing-backed law.

Clashes broke out shortly after 3:00 pm (0700 GMT) -- the deadline protesters had given for the government to abandon the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-block-roads-in-hong-kong-in-anti-china-demonstration-against-extradition-bill-226366">controversial bill</a> -- and continued throughout the afternoon in the worst political violence the city has seen in years.

Rows of riot police battled protesters -- many wearing face masks, helmets or goggles and using umbrellas as shields -- who had gathered in the centre of the city ahead of a scheduled debate in the city's legislature.

That debate had to be rescheduled "to a later date" after huge crowds seized major roads outside the parliament.

The scenes echoed the pro-democracy "Umbrella Movement" of 2014 where protesters calling for greater democratic rights shut down swathes of the city for two months and battled police but won no concessions from Beijing.&nbsp;

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In a repeat of four years ago people flooded major roads and junctions on Wednesday, dragging barricades onto highways and tying them together. Others plucked loose bricks from pavements.

After the deadline expired, protesters broke into the forecourt of the legislature in a bid to breach the building and demonstrators were seen throwing missiles including metal bars at riot police. An injured policeman was carried away unconscious.

Police beat back demonstrators first with batons and pepper spray, then firing rubber bullets and bean bag rounds -- small fabric bags filled with lead pellets -- and dozens of rounds of tear gas as they cleared one side of the surrounded parliament building.&nbsp;

Hong Kong's police chief Stephen Lo defended his officers, saying they had shown restraint until "mobsters" tried to storm parliament.&nbsp;

"These violent protesters kept charging at our line of defence, and used very dangerous weapons, including... throwing metal barricades at us and throwing bricks," he said.

'Million' march

Many Hong Kongers are incensed that the government ignored a massive march on Sunday calling for the bill to be scrapped.&nbsp;

"It's the government who has forced people to escalate their actions, so I think it's inevitable for the fight this time to get heated," said 21-year-old protester Lau Ka-chun.

Organisers said more than a million people turned out on Sunday to oppose the proposed law, which would allow Hong Kong to send suspects to other jurisdictions around the world -- including China.

But the record numbers failed to sway Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam, who has rejected calls to withdraw the bill.

Matthew Cheung, the city's chief secretary, on Wednesday called on demonstrators to withdraw.&nbsp;

"I also urge citizens who have gathered to show restraint as much as possible, disperse peacefully and do not defy the law," he said in a video message.

Opposition to the bill has united an unusually wide cross-section of the city from influential businesses and lawyers to religious groups, student unions and workers.

Western nations have criticised the plans while Beijing has voiced support.&nbsp;

Opponents are fearful the law would entangle people in the mainland's opaque courts, leaving them vulnerable to a justice system seen as acting at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party.

'Hong Kong will bleed'

Protesters vowed to stay on the streets until the bill is abandoned.

"Stalling is not our ultimate goal. We need them to consider scrapping it," said student Charles Lee, 23. "Clashes are unavoidable if they adopt this attitude towards their citizens."

Lawmakers had been due to debate the bill on Wednesday morning in the city's legislature, which is dominated by Beijing loyalists, with a final vote expected on June 20.

It was not announced when the next meeting on the bill would be held.

"The only responsible thing to do now is for Carrie Lam to withdraw the evil bill, or at least to shelve it in order to solve the crisis," said pro-democracy lawmaker Fernando Cheung.

Hong Kong's leaders say the proposed law is needed to plug loopholes and to stop the city being a sanctuary for fugitives, and that safeguards are in place to ensure that political critics of Beijing will not be targeted.

But many Hong Kongers have little faith in the government's assurances after years of heightened fears that a resurgent Beijing is trying to quash the city's unique freedoms and culture -- despite a 50-year agreement between Hong Kong's former colonial ruler, Britain, and China that means the city is guaranteed freedoms unseen on the Chinese mainland.

Hong Kong's stock market sank nearly 1.8 percent on Wednesday in the city-wide turmoil.

Violent clashes broke out in Hong Kong on Wednesday as police tried to stop protesters storming the city's parliament, while tens of thousands of people blocked key arteries in a show of strength against government plans to allow extraditions to China.

Violent clashes broke out in Hong Kong on Wednesday as police tried to stop protesters storming the city's parliament, while tens of thousands of people blocked key arteries in a show of strength against government plans to allow extraditions to China. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and batons to disperse crowds of black-clad demonstrators -- most of them young people and students -- calling for authorities to scrap the Beijing-backed law. Clashes broke out shortly after 3:00 pm (0700 GMT) -- the deadline protesters had given for the government to abandon the controversial bill -- and continued throughout the afternoon in the worst political violence the city has seen in years. Rows of riot police battled protesters -- many wearing face masks, helmets or goggles and using umbrellas as shields -- who had gathered in the centre of the city ahead of a scheduled debate in the city's legislature. That debate had to be rescheduled "to a later date" after huge crowds seized major roads outside the parliament. The scenes echoed the pro-democracy "Umbrella Movement" of 2014 where protesters calling for greater democratic rights shut down swathes of the city for two months and battled police but won no concessions from Beijing. × In a repeat of four years ago people flooded major roads and junctions on Wednesday, dragging barricades onto highways and tying them together. Others plucked loose bricks from pavements. After the deadline expired, protesters broke into the forecourt of the legislature in a bid to breach the building and demonstrators were seen throwing missiles including metal bars at riot police. An injured policeman was carried away unconscious. Police beat back demonstrators first with batons and pepper spray, then firing rubber bullets and bean bag rounds -- small fabric bags filled with lead pellets -- and dozens of rounds of tear gas as they cleared one side of the surrounded parliament building. Hong Kong's police chief Stephen Lo defended his officers, saying they had shown restraint until "mobsters" tried to storm parliament. "These violent protesters kept charging at our line of defence, and used very dangerous weapons, including... throwing metal barricades at us and throwing bricks," he said. 'Million' march Many Hong Kongers are incensed that the government ignored a massive march on Sunday calling for the bill to be scrapped. "It's the government who has forced people to escalate their actions, so I think it's inevitable for the fight this time to get heated," said 21-year-old protester Lau Ka-chun. Organisers said more than a million people turned out on Sunday to oppose the proposed law, which would allow Hong Kong to send suspects to other jurisdictions around the world -- including China. But the record numbers failed to sway Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam, who has rejected calls to withdraw the bill. Matthew Cheung, the city's chief secretary, on Wednesday called on demonstrators to withdraw. "I also urge citizens who have gathered to show restraint as much as possible, disperse peacefully and do not defy the law," he said in a video message. Opposition to the bill has united an unusually wide cross-section of the city from influential businesses and lawyers to religious groups, student unions and workers. Western nations have criticised the plans while Beijing has voiced support. Opponents are fearful the law would entangle people in the mainland's opaque courts, leaving them vulnerable to a justice system seen as acting at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party. 'Hong Kong will bleed' Protesters vowed to stay on the streets until the bill is abandoned. "Stalling is not our ultimate goal. We need them to consider scrapping it," said student Charles Lee, 23. "Clashes are unavoidable if they adopt this attitude towards their citizens." Lawmakers had been due to debate the bill on Wednesday morning in the city's legislature, which is dominated by Beijing loyalists, with a final vote expected on June 20. It was not announced when the next meeting on the bill would be held. "The only responsible thing to do now is for Carrie Lam to withdraw the evil bill, or at least to shelve it in order to solve the crisis," said pro-democracy lawmaker Fernando Cheung. Hong Kong's leaders say the proposed law is needed to plug loopholes and to stop the city being a sanctuary for fugitives, and that safeguards are in place to ensure that political critics of Beijing will not be targeted. But many Hong Kongers have little faith in the government's assurances after years of heightened fears that a resurgent Beijing is trying to quash the city's unique freedoms and culture -- despite a 50-year agreement between Hong Kong's former colonial ruler, Britain, and China that means the city is guaranteed freedoms unseen on the Chinese mainland. Hong Kong's stock market sank nearly 1.8 percent on Wednesday in the city-wide turmoil.

Hong Kong police use tear gas as protesters try to storm parliament

Scores of Hong Kong businesses have vowed to shut down for a day as anger builds over the government's push to allow <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/million-march-huge-hong-kong-protest-against-china-extradition-law-225733">extraditions</a> to China, with opponents on Tuesday announcing plans for fresh protests and strikes.

The financial hub was rocked by a huge rally over the weekend -&nbsp;the largest since the city's 1997 return to China - as vast crowds called on the city's leaders to scrap the Beijing-backed plan.&nbsp;

Many are fearful the proposed law will tangle people up in the mainland's opaque courts and hammer Hong Kong's reputation as an international business hub.

Organisers said more than a million hit the streets on Sunday but the record crowds have failed to sway chief executive Carrie Lam who has rejected calls to withdraw or delay the bill and warned opponents against committing "radical acts".

On Wednesday the proposal will have its second and third readings in the city's parliament, which is dominated by Beijing loyalists, making its passing all but assured.

Protest groups have vowed to stage a fresh rally outside parliament that morning -- although it was not yet clear whether police would allow a demonstration to take place. Organisers have billed the gathering as a "picnic" in a park next to the building.

A separate online petition calling on protesters to gather Tuesday evening and camp overnight outside parliament may prove more controversial -- in the early hours of Monday, police fought running battles with small groups of hardline protesters who had made similar plans to spend the night.

Businesses shuttering

Ahead of Wednesday's debate, business owners took to social media using a hashtag that translates as "#612strike" -- the date of the proposed action -- to announce solidarity closures.&nbsp;

A large chunk is mom-and-pop style stores and small businesses that are a key part of the city's economy, but which often eschew the city's raucous street politics.&nbsp;

By Tuesday morning, more than 100 businesses had declared plans to strike, ranging from coffee shops and restaurants to camera stores, toy shops, nail salons, yoga studios and even an adult entertainment store.

"Hong Kong was built by our various generations with hard work," wrote Meet Yoga studio on its Instagram account. "A Hong Kong without freedom -- how about we just wipe it off the map entirely and call it China?"

Lawyer Michael Vidler said he would allow his 12 employees to "act in accordance with their conscience" and go on strike.

More than 1,600 airline employees signed a petition calling on their union to strike while a bus driver union said it would encourage members to drive deliberately slowly on Wednesday to support protests.&nbsp;

Some teacher, nursing and social worker groups have said they planned to strike.&nbsp;

'Radical acts'

On Tuesday, Lam warned against strikes, a protest method that is not readily embraced in the business-centric city.&nbsp;

"I urge schools, parents, groups, corporations and unions to carefully consider if they call for these radical acts, what good would it do for Hong Kong society and our youth," RTHK quoted her as saying.&nbsp;

The proposed law would allow extraditions to any jurisdiction with which it does not already have a treaty -- including mainland China.

Hong Kong's leaders say it is needed to plug loopholes and to stop the city being a sanctuary for fugitives and that safeguards are in place to ensure political critics of Beijing will not be targeted.

But many Hong Kongers have little faith in those assurances after years of heightened fears that a resurgent Beijing is trying to quash the city's unique freedoms and culture.

Massive pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014 failed to win any concessions while protest leaders have been imprisoned or banned from politics.

The extradition proposal has resurrected what had been a somewhat moribund opposition movement in recent years.&nbsp;

The opposition unites a wide cross-section of the city, including lawyers and legal bodies, business figures and chambers of commerce, journalists, activists and religious leaders.&nbsp;

On Monday evening the pastor of a usually pro-government mega-church issued a statement saying he could not support the bill.

Western governments have also voiced alarm including the US which reiterated "great concern" about the bill saying it would "damage Hong Kong's business environment and subject our citizens residing in or visiting Hong Kong to China's capricious judicial system".

In 2003 a large demonstration led to the government shelving a controversial national security law and set in motion the eventual resignation of the then chief executive Tung Chee-Hwa.

But in recent years, Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leaders have taken a harder line and resisted protester demands.&nbsp;

Scores of Hong Kong businesses have vowed to shut down for a day as anger builds over the government's push to allow extraditions to China, with opponents on Tuesday announcing plans for fresh protests and strikes.

Scores of Hong Kong businesses have vowed to shut down for a day as anger builds over the government's push to allow extraditions to China, with opponents on Tuesday announcing plans for fresh protests and strikes. The financial hub was rocked by a huge rally over the weekend - the largest since the city's 1997 return to China - as vast crowds called on the city's leaders to scrap the Beijing-backed plan. Many are fearful the proposed law will tangle people up in the mainland's opaque courts and hammer Hong Kong's reputation as an international business hub. Organisers said more than a million hit the streets on Sunday but the record crowds have failed to sway chief executive Carrie Lam who has rejected calls to withdraw or delay the bill and warned opponents against committing "radical acts". On Wednesday the proposal will have its second and third readings in the city's parliament, which is dominated by Beijing loyalists, making its passing all but assured. Protest groups have vowed to stage a fresh rally outside parliament that morning -- although it was not yet clear whether police would allow a demonstration to take place. Organisers have billed the gathering as a "picnic" in a park next to the building. A separate online petition calling on protesters to gather Tuesday evening and camp overnight outside parliament may prove more controversial -- in the early hours of Monday, police fought running battles with small groups of hardline protesters who had made similar plans to spend the night. Businesses shuttering Ahead of Wednesday's debate, business owners took to social media using a hashtag that translates as "#612strike" -- the date of the proposed action -- to announce solidarity closures. A large chunk is mom-and-pop style stores and small businesses that are a key part of the city's economy, but which often eschew the city's raucous street politics. By Tuesday morning, more than 100 businesses had declared plans to strike, ranging from coffee shops and restaurants to camera stores, toy shops, nail salons, yoga studios and even an adult entertainment store. "Hong Kong was built by our various generations with hard work," wrote Meet Yoga studio on its Instagram account. "A Hong Kong without freedom -- how about we just wipe it off the map entirely and call it China?" Lawyer Michael Vidler said he would allow his 12 employees to "act in accordance with their conscience" and go on strike. More than 1,600 airline employees signed a petition calling on their union to strike while a bus driver union said it would encourage members to drive deliberately slowly on Wednesday to support protests. Some teacher, nursing and social worker groups have said they planned to strike. 'Radical acts' On Tuesday, Lam warned against strikes, a protest method that is not readily embraced in the business-centric city. "I urge schools, parents, groups, corporations and unions to carefully consider if they call for these radical acts, what good would it do for Hong Kong society and our youth," RTHK quoted her as saying. The proposed law would allow extraditions to any jurisdiction with which it does not already have a treaty -- including mainland China. Hong Kong's leaders say it is needed to plug loopholes and to stop the city being a sanctuary for fugitives and that safeguards are in place to ensure political critics of Beijing will not be targeted. But many Hong Kongers have little faith in those assurances after years of heightened fears that a resurgent Beijing is trying to quash the city's unique freedoms and culture. Massive pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014 failed to win any concessions while protest leaders have been imprisoned or banned from politics. The extradition proposal has resurrected what had been a somewhat moribund opposition movement in recent years. The opposition unites a wide cross-section of the city, including lawyers and legal bodies, business figures and chambers of commerce, journalists, activists and religious leaders. On Monday evening the pastor of a usually pro-government mega-church issued a statement saying he could not support the bill. Western governments have also voiced alarm including the US which reiterated "great concern" about the bill saying it would "damage Hong Kong's business environment and subject our citizens residing in or visiting Hong Kong to China's capricious judicial system". In 2003 a large demonstration led to the government shelving a controversial national security law and set in motion the eventual resignation of the then chief executive Tung Chee-Hwa. But in recent years, Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leaders have taken a harder line and resisted protester demands.

Hong Kong businesses pledge closures as extradition anger builds

Why is Hong Kong's China extradition plan so controversial?

China on Monday strongly backed the Hong Kong government on a controversial bill that would allow extraditions to the mainland and voiced opposition to "outside interference" following a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/government-has-become-dictatorship-hong-kong-protestors-call-on-supporters-to-rally-outside-parliament-225932">massive protest against the legislation</a>.

Organisers said more than a million people marched against the law, bringing central Hong Kong to a standstill at the weekend as the semi-autonomous city's pro-Beijing government battles a major political crisis.

Critics of the proposed legislation say it would erode precious freedoms in the city, and leave dissidents at the mercy of Beijing's opaque justice system.

Beijing was unmoved by the protest, with foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying it "will continue to firmly support" the Hong Kong administration.

"Second, we firmly oppose any outside interference in the legislative affairs" of the city, he said at a regular press briefing, adding that "some countries have made some irresponsible remarks about the amendment".

In pictures:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-a-million-marching-in-hong-kong-225756">Why a million marching in Hong Kong?</a>

Chinese state-run media earlier slammed the Hong Kong protest organisers for "collusion with the West", and pointed to meetings between Hong Kong opposition figures and senior US officials.

The Chinese-language edition of the nationalistic Global Times dismissed Sunday's mass demonstration, one of the biggest shows of public anger since Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

"It is very noteworthy that some international forces have significantly strengthened their interaction with the Hong Kong opposition in recent months," the paper said, describing the exchanges as "collusion".

The editorial pointed to meetings between Hong Kong opposition figures and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Hong Kong's pro-Beijing chief executive Carrie Lam struck a defiant tone in the wake of the protest, refusing to scrap the extradition bill.

The law's opponents have called for another demonstration on Wednesday.

'Hoodwinked'

The English-language China Daily said in an editorial more than 700,000 people had backed the legislation through an online petition, "countering a protest by about 240,000 people" -- the more conservative attendance figure given by police.

"Unfortunately, some Hong Kong residents have been hoodwinked by the opposition camp and their foreign allies into supporting the anti-extradition campaign," the state-run paper said.

Geng also pointed to the petition in support of the bill.&nbsp;

Coverage of the protest was muted in mainland China, with the state broadcaster ignoring the protest on Sunday's main evening news.

The official Xinhua news agency's English-language service repeated the city administration's position on the law "in response to a public procession".

Searches for the demonstration on China's Twitter-like Weibo platform yielded no results, and instead showed older content about unrelated events.

A mainland student in China told AFP his WeChat social media account was suspended for two days after he posted a picture of the protest in a three-person group chat.

"I feel awful, it's my first time being blocked," said the student, who did not participate in the protest.

A 50-year agreement between Hong Kong's former colonial ruler, Britain, and China means the city is guaranteed freedoms of speech and assembly unseen on the Chinese mainland.

But activists and opposition politicians are increasingly warning that these liberties are being eroded as Beijing tightens its grip on the city.

The proposed law would allow extraditions to any country with which Hong Kong does not already have a treaty, including mainland China.

Supporters say the law is needed to stop the city becoming a safe haven for mainland fugitives, but critics fear Beijing would use the law to go after its opponents.&nbsp;

China on Monday strongly backed the Hong Kong government on a controversial bill that would allow extraditions to the mainland and voiced opposition to "outside interference" following a massive protest against the legislation.

China on Monday strongly backed the Hong Kong government on a controversial bill that would allow extraditions to the mainland and voiced opposition to "outside interference" following a massive protest against the legislation. Organisers said more than a million people marched against the law, bringing central Hong Kong to a standstill at the weekend as the semi-autonomous city's pro-Beijing government battles a major political crisis. Critics of the proposed legislation say it would erode precious freedoms in the city, and leave dissidents at the mercy of Beijing's opaque justice system. Beijing was unmoved by the protest, with foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying it "will continue to firmly support" the Hong Kong administration. "Second, we firmly oppose any outside interference in the legislative affairs" of the city, he said at a regular press briefing, adding that "some countries have made some irresponsible remarks about the amendment". In pictures: Why a million marching in Hong Kong? Chinese state-run media earlier slammed the Hong Kong protest organisers for "collusion with the West", and pointed to meetings between Hong Kong opposition figures and senior US officials. The Chinese-language edition of the nationalistic Global Times dismissed Sunday's mass demonstration, one of the biggest shows of public anger since Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997. "It is very noteworthy that some international forces have significantly strengthened their interaction with the Hong Kong opposition in recent months," the paper said, describing the exchanges as "collusion". The editorial pointed to meetings between Hong Kong opposition figures and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Hong Kong's pro-Beijing chief executive Carrie Lam struck a defiant tone in the wake of the protest, refusing to scrap the extradition bill. The law's opponents have called for another demonstration on Wednesday. 'Hoodwinked' The English-language China Daily said in an editorial more than 700,000 people had backed the legislation through an online petition, "countering a protest by about 240,000 people" -- the more conservative attendance figure given by police. "Unfortunately, some Hong Kong residents have been hoodwinked by the opposition camp and their foreign allies into supporting the anti-extradition campaign," the state-run paper said. Geng also pointed to the petition in support of the bill. Coverage of the protest was muted in mainland China, with the state broadcaster ignoring the protest on Sunday's main evening news. The official Xinhua news agency's English-language service repeated the city administration's position on the law "in response to a public procession". Searches for the demonstration on China's Twitter-like Weibo platform yielded no results, and instead showed older content about unrelated events. A mainland student in China told AFP his WeChat social media account was suspended for two days after he posted a picture of the protest in a three-person group chat. "I feel awful, it's my first time being blocked," said the student, who did not participate in the protest. A 50-year agreement between Hong Kong's former colonial ruler, Britain, and China means the city is guaranteed freedoms of speech and assembly unseen on the Chinese mainland. But activists and opposition politicians are increasingly warning that these liberties are being eroded as Beijing tightens its grip on the city. The proposed law would allow extraditions to any country with which Hong Kong does not already have a treaty, including mainland China. Supporters say the law is needed to stop the city becoming a safe haven for mainland fugitives, but critics fear Beijing would use the law to go after its opponents.

China backs Hong Kong extradition law, opposes 'foreign interference'

Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader on Monday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-not-receive-any-instruction-from-china-on-extradition-bill-hong-kong-chief-executive-carrie-lam-225837">refused to scrap a controversial plan to allow extraditions</a> to the Chinese mainland, a day after record crowds came out to oppose the proposal.

Striking a defiant tone after the city's largest protest since the 1997 handover, chief executive Carrie Lam said the legislature would debate the bill on Wednesday as planned, rejecting calls to delay or withdraw the law.&nbsp;

The decision sets her administration on a collision course with opponents who decried her stance and called on supporters to rally outside parliament on Wednesday or hold strikes.&nbsp;

In pictures: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-a-million-marching-in-hong-kong-225756">Why a million marching in Hong Kong?</a>

"She's really pushing Hong Kong towards the brink of a precipice," pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo told reporters.

Sunday saw <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/foreign-forces-opposition-creating-havoc-in-hong-kong-china-daily-225827">huge crowds march in blazing summer heat</a> through the streets of the financial hub's main island in a noisy, colourful demonstration calling on the government to scrap its planned extradition law.

Organisers said as many as a million people turned out -- the largest protest in three decades and the biggest by far since the city's return to Chinese rule.

Lam's government is pushing a bill through the legislature that would allow extraditions to any jurisdiction with which it does not already have a treaty -- including mainland China.

Authorities say it is needed to plug loopholes and to stop the city being a bolthole for fugitives.

But the proposals have birthed an opposition that unites a wide cross-section of the city, with critics fearing the law will entangle people in China's opaque and politicised courts.

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Incredulous response

In her first comments since the mass rallies, Lam pushed back against calls to delay the law and said the huge rallies were proof Hong Kong's freedom of speech was still protected.

She said her administration had already made major concessions to ensure political cases would not be considered and that human rights safeguards met international standards.

"We have been listening and listening very attentively," she said.

But her words drew an incredulous response from opponents who accused her of ignoring massive public opposition.&nbsp;

"Yesterday 1.03 million of us marched and the government is still indifferent, turning a deaf ear to the people. This government has become a dictatorship," lawmaker Ip Kin-yuen told reporters.

Political analyst Dixon Sing warned Lam could be facing "political suicide" if she pushed for a showdown after such huge demonstrations.&nbsp;

"In the short run, the Hong Kong government led by Carrie Lam will suffer a worsening legitimacy crisis," he told AFP. "Fewer and fewer people will trust her and the entire cabinet."

But he said much would rest on whether the public comes out to back further protests or strikes.&nbsp;

Sunday's huge rally passed without incident until shortly after midnight when small pockets of protesters fought running battles with police in chaotic and violent scenes.

Nineteen people were arrested, police said, mostly young men in their early twenties.

Hong Kong authorities said they believed the violence at the end of the largely peaceful protests was planned by organised groups.

"It’s easy to tell they are organised, premeditated, prepared, radical and violent people," said Li Kwai-wah, senior superintendent of the Organized Crime And Triad Bureau.

There was a heavy police presence outside parliament on Monday as officials moved twisted remains of barricades and debris left by the skirmishes the night before.

Years of tumult

Hong Kong has been convulsed by political unrest in recent years as fears soar that a resurgent Beijing is trying to quash the international financial hub's unique freedoms and culture.

Under the 50-year handover deal with the British, China agreed to a "one country, two systems" model where Hong Kong would keep freedom of speech and assembly rights that are unheard of on the authoritarian mainland.

But many locals believe Beijing is now reneging on that deal, aided by the city's loyalist local government, especially since Xi Jinping became China's leader.

In 2014 mass democracy protests calling for the right to directly elect Hong Kong's leader paralysed parts of the city for more than two months with frequent clashes between police and demonstrators.

Two years later violent clashes broke out in the crowded district of Mongkok when police tried to close down unlicensed street vendors. Key protest leaders have since been jailed or barred from politics.

Many young Hong Kongers have hardened their attitudes towards China after failing to win any concessions since the 2014 protests and the violence after Sunday's rally fits a now familiar pattern.

China on Monday strongly backed the Hong Kong government and voiced opposition to "outside interference".

Beijing "will continue to firmly support" the Hong Kong administration, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, adding that the government will "firmly oppose any outside interference in the legislative affairs" of the city.

In an editorial, Beijing's state-run China Daily called the law a "sensible, legitimate" piece of legislation, and said "some Hong Kong residents have been hoodwinked by the opposition camp and their foreign allies into supporting the anti-extradition campaign".

Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader on Monday refused to scrap a controversial plan to allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland, a day after record crowds came out to oppose the proposal.

Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader on Monday refused to scrap a controversial plan to allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland, a day after record crowds came out to oppose the proposal. Striking a defiant tone after the city's largest protest since the 1997 handover, chief executive Carrie Lam said the legislature would debate the bill on Wednesday as planned, rejecting calls to delay or withdraw the law. The decision sets her administration on a collision course with opponents who decried her stance and called on supporters to rally outside parliament on Wednesday or hold strikes. In pictures: Why a million marching in Hong Kong? "She's really pushing Hong Kong towards the brink of a precipice," pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo told reporters. Sunday saw huge crowds march in blazing summer heat through the streets of the financial hub's main island in a noisy, colourful demonstration calling on the government to scrap its planned extradition law. Organisers said as many as a million people turned out -- the largest protest in three decades and the biggest by far since the city's return to Chinese rule. Lam's government is pushing a bill through the legislature that would allow extraditions to any jurisdiction with which it does not already have a treaty -- including mainland China. Authorities say it is needed to plug loopholes and to stop the city being a bolthole for fugitives. But the proposals have birthed an opposition that unites a wide cross-section of the city, with critics fearing the law will entangle people in China's opaque and politicised courts. × Incredulous response In her first comments since the mass rallies, Lam pushed back against calls to delay the law and said the huge rallies were proof Hong Kong's freedom of speech was still protected. She said her administration had already made major concessions to ensure political cases would not be considered and that human rights safeguards met international standards. "We have been listening and listening very attentively," she said. But her words drew an incredulous response from opponents who accused her of ignoring massive public opposition. "Yesterday 1.03 million of us marched and the government is still indifferent, turning a deaf ear to the people. This government has become a dictatorship," lawmaker Ip Kin-yuen told reporters. Political analyst Dixon Sing warned Lam could be facing "political suicide" if she pushed for a showdown after such huge demonstrations. "In the short run, the Hong Kong government led by Carrie Lam will suffer a worsening legitimacy crisis," he told AFP. "Fewer and fewer people will trust her and the entire cabinet." But he said much would rest on whether the public comes out to back further protests or strikes. Sunday's huge rally passed without incident until shortly after midnight when small pockets of protesters fought running battles with police in chaotic and violent scenes. Nineteen people were arrested, police said, mostly young men in their early twenties. Hong Kong authorities said they believed the violence at the end of the largely peaceful protests was planned by organised groups. "It’s easy to tell they are organised, premeditated, prepared, radical and violent people," said Li Kwai-wah, senior superintendent of the Organized Crime And Triad Bureau. There was a heavy police presence outside parliament on Monday as officials moved twisted remains of barricades and debris left by the skirmishes the night before. Years of tumult Hong Kong has been convulsed by political unrest in recent years as fears soar that a resurgent Beijing is trying to quash the international financial hub's unique freedoms and culture. Under the 50-year handover deal with the British, China agreed to a "one country, two systems" model where Hong Kong would keep freedom of speech and assembly rights that are unheard of on the authoritarian mainland. But many locals believe Beijing is now reneging on that deal, aided by the city's loyalist local government, especially since Xi Jinping became China's leader. In 2014 mass democracy protests calling for the right to directly elect Hong Kong's leader paralysed parts of the city for more than two months with frequent clashes between police and demonstrators. Two years later violent clashes broke out in the crowded district of Mongkok when police tried to close down unlicensed street vendors. Key protest leaders have since been jailed or barred from politics. Many young Hong Kongers have hardened their attitudes towards China after failing to win any concessions since the 2014 protests and the violence after Sunday's rally fits a now familiar pattern. China on Monday strongly backed the Hong Kong government and voiced opposition to "outside interference". Beijing "will continue to firmly support" the Hong Kong administration, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, adding that the government will "firmly oppose any outside interference in the legislative affairs" of the city. In an editorial, Beijing's state-run China Daily called the law a "sensible, legitimate" piece of legislation, and said "some Hong Kong residents have been hoodwinked by the opposition camp and their foreign allies into supporting the anti-extradition campaign".

'Government has become dictatorship,' Hong Kong protestors call on supporters to rally outside parliament

Why a million marching in Hong Kong?

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-adopts-powers-to-respond-to-cyberattacks-219411"> European Union </a>Office in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong issued a formal diplomatic "demarche" protest note to Hong Kong`s leader on Friday over a proposed extradition law that could see individuals sent back to mainland China for trial.

The proposed legislation has stoked mass protests in the former British colony, which was promised a high degree of autonomy, including an independent judiciary, under a "one country, two systems" formula when it returned to China in 1997.

Critics, including foreign governments, legal and business groups, have expressed fears the law could erode Hong Kong`s rule of law and leave individuals, including foreign nationals passing through the city, vulnerable to being sent back for an unfair trial on the mainland.

The EU Office in Hong Kong and Macau said in a brief statement in response to press inquiries that it had, together with diplomatic representatives from its member states, met with Hong Kong`s leader Carrie Lam to "carry out a demarche reiterating their concerns regarding the government`s proposed amendments to Hong Kong`s Fugitive Offenders Ordinance".

The 28-member European Union had already come out in recent months to express concern over the extradition bill that Hong Kong authorities say they want to try to get passed in the city`s legislature before the summer recess.

This latest move represents a hardening of the EU position, just days after Lam reiterated that she wouldn`t scrap the bill.&nbsp;

The head of the EU office, Carmen Cano, wasn`t immediately available for comment. There was no immediate comment from Lam`s office.

The European Union Office in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong issued a formal diplomatic "demarche" protest note to Hong Kong`s leader on Friday over a proposed extradition law that could see individuals sent back to mainland China for trial.

The European Union Office in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong issued a formal diplomatic "demarche" protest note to Hong Kong`s leader on Friday over a proposed extradition law that could see individuals sent back to mainland China for trial. The proposed legislation has stoked mass protests in the former British colony, which was promised a high degree of autonomy, including an independent judiciary, under a "one country, two systems" formula when it returned to China in 1997. Critics, including foreign governments, legal and business groups, have expressed fears the law could erode Hong Kong`s rule of law and leave individuals, including foreign nationals passing through the city, vulnerable to being sent back for an unfair trial on the mainland. The EU Office in Hong Kong and Macau said in a brief statement in response to press inquiries that it had, together with diplomatic representatives from its member states, met with Hong Kong`s leader Carrie Lam to "carry out a demarche reiterating their concerns regarding the government`s proposed amendments to Hong Kong`s Fugitive Offenders Ordinance". The 28-member European Union had already come out in recent months to express concern over the extradition bill that Hong Kong authorities say they want to try to get passed in the city`s legislature before the summer recess. This latest move represents a hardening of the EU position, just days after Lam reiterated that she wouldn`t scrap the bill. The head of the EU office, Carmen Cano, wasn`t immediately available for comment. There was no immediate comment from Lam`s office.

EU lodges formal diplomatic note against contentious Hong Kong extradition bill

President Xi inaugurates world's longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau & Zhuhai

Chinese President Xi Jinping swore in Hong Kong&#39;s new leader on Saturday warning that Beijing will not tolerate any challenge to its authority in a strongly worded speech to mark the 20th anniversary of the former British colony&#39;s return to China.

Security was tight at the same harbour-front venue where two decades earlier, the last colonial governor, Chris Patten, tearfully handed back Hong Kong to Beijing at a rain-soaked ceremony.

&quot;Any attempt to endanger China&#39;s sovereignty and security, challenge the power of the central government and the authority of the Basic Law of the HKSAR or use Hong Kong to carry out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is an act that crosses the red line and is absolutely impermissible,&quot; Xi said.&nbsp;

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<h5>Xi was addressing a packed hall of dignitaries and mostly pro-Beijing establishment figures, speaking for more than 30 minutes, after swearing in Hong Kong&#39;s first female leader, Carrie Lam</h5>
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Under Hong Kong&#39;s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, the financial hub is guaranteed its freedoms for &quot;at least 50 years&quot; after 1997. HKSAR stands for the Hong Kong special administrative region, which is run under a &quot;one country, two systems&quot; formula allowing wide-ranging autonomy.

Xi&#39;s words are his strongest yet to the world financial hub and come at a time of heightened social and political tensions and concerns over what some in Hong Kong perceive as increased meddling by Beijing in the city&#39;s affairs.

He was addressing a packed hall of dignitaries and mostly pro-Beijing establishment figures, speaking for more than 30 minutes, after swearing in Hong Kong&#39;s first female leader, Carrie Lam.

Minor scuffles broke out under a blue sky as pro-democracy activists, some with banners bearing the words &quot;Democracy. Self determination&quot;, and pro-Beijing groups taunted each other, with hundreds of police deployed on a traditional day of protest in Hong Kong.

Scores of democracy protesters were taken away by police, while several pro-China groups remained, cheering loudly and waving flags as though in victory.

&quot;Long live China,&quot; they shouted in unison. &quot;We support the police&#39;s law enforcement actions.&quot;

Beijing-backed civil servant Lam was chosen to be Hong Kong&#39;s next leader in March by a 1,200-person &quot;election committee&quot; stacked with pro-China and pro-establishment loyalists.

[For a link to Reuters handover stories, http://reut.rs/2sje26J]

Lam, speaking in Mandarin instead of the Cantonese dialect widely used in Hong Kong, said she wanted to create a harmonious society and explore new land supply in a city where the sky-high cost of housing has also triggered discontent.

Beijing&#39;s refusal to grant universal suffrage to Hong Kong triggered nearly three months of street protests in 2014 and growing calls for independence for the city, in what many observers see as the most tumultuous post-handover period in Hong Kong . &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Upwards of 100,000 thousand protesters are expected to take to the streets for an annual march in the afternoon to mark the 20th anniversary of the handover.

In a strongly worded speech to mark the 20th anniversary of the former British colony's return to China, XI warned that Beijing would not tolerate any challenge to its authority

Chinese President Xi Jinping swore in Hong Kong's new leader on Saturday warning that Beijing will not tolerate any challenge to its authority in a strongly worded speech to mark the 20th anniversary of the former British colony's return to China. Security was tight at the same harbour-front venue where two decades earlier, the last colonial governor, Chris Patten, tearfully handed back Hong Kong to Beijing at a rain-soaked ceremony. "Any attempt to endanger China's sovereignty and security, challenge the power of the central government and the authority of the Basic Law of the HKSAR or use Hong Kong to carry out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is an act that crosses the red line and is absolutely impermissible," Xi said. Xi was addressing a packed hall of dignitaries and mostly pro-Beijing establishment figures, speaking for more than 30 minutes, after swearing in Hong Kong's first female leader, Carrie Lam × Under Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, the financial hub is guaranteed its freedoms for "at least 50 years" after 1997. HKSAR stands for the Hong Kong special administrative region, which is run under a "one country, two systems" formula allowing wide-ranging autonomy. Xi's words are his strongest yet to the world financial hub and come at a time of heightened social and political tensions and concerns over what some in Hong Kong perceive as increased meddling by Beijing in the city's affairs. He was addressing a packed hall of dignitaries and mostly pro-Beijing establishment figures, speaking for more than 30 minutes, after swearing in Hong Kong's first female leader, Carrie Lam. Minor scuffles broke out under a blue sky as pro-democracy activists, some with banners bearing the words "Democracy. Self determination", and pro-Beijing groups taunted each other, with hundreds of police deployed on a traditional day of protest in Hong Kong. Scores of democracy protesters were taken away by police, while several pro-China groups remained, cheering loudly and waving flags as though in victory. "Long live China," they shouted in unison. "We support the police's law enforcement actions." Beijing-backed civil servant Lam was chosen to be Hong Kong's next leader in March by a 1,200-person "election committee" stacked with pro-China and pro-establishment loyalists. [For a link to Reuters handover stories, http://reut.rs/2sje26J] Lam, speaking in Mandarin instead of the Cantonese dialect widely used in Hong Kong, said she wanted to create a harmonious society and explore new land supply in a city where the sky-high cost of housing has also triggered discontent. Beijing's refusal to grant universal suffrage to Hong Kong triggered nearly three months of street protests in 2014 and growing calls for independence for the city, in what many observers see as the most tumultuous post-handover period in Hong Kong . Upwards of 100,000 thousand protesters are expected to take to the streets for an annual march in the afternoon to mark the 20th anniversary of the handover.

China's Xi warns Hong Kong to toe the line, swears in new leader

Carrie Lam, who won an election to become Hong Kong&#39;s first female chief executive on Sunday, is a former student activist who climbed the rungs of the civil service over 36 years, and a tough, capable and possibly divisive Beijing-backed leader.

Lam, 59, most recently Hong Kong&#39;s number two official, has to unify the Chinese-ruled city as public resentment swells at Beijing&#39;s growing interference in its affairs despite being promised a high degree of autonomy.

She also has to reinvigorate the economy and address growing social inequalities and high property prices.

Several sources who have worked with Lam say she&#39;s intelligent, hard-working and able to push controversial government policies, earning her the trust of Beijing factions who strongly lobbied for votes on her behalf.

But her hardline and pro-Beijing tendencies, say critics and opposition democrats, risk sowing further social divisions in the former British colony that returned to China 20 years ago under a &quot;once country, two systems&quot; formula that guarantees it wide-ranging freedoms. &quot;Carrie Lam...is a nightmare for Hong Kong,&quot; said student activist Joshua Wong, 20, one of the leaders of the student-led &quot;Umbrella Movement&quot; protests in 2014 which blocked the streets for 79 days demanding full democracy.

&quot;Theoretically, the chief executive is a bridge between the central government and the Hong Kong people. But Lam will be a tilted bridge. She will only tell us what Beijing wants, and won&#39;t reflect what the people want to the communist regime.&quot;

Lam, 59, dubbed &quot;the fighter&quot; by media, was once the most popular official in the cabinet of staunchly pro-Beijing incumbent chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, who in 2012 won a similar election restricted to just 1,200 voters.

&quot;Picking Carrie as chief secretary was Leung&#39;s best appointment,&quot; said a senior government official who declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media. But she could also sometimes be a &quot;bully&quot;, he added.

&nbsp;

SOFTER IMAGE

Lam&#39;s popularity began to slip just as a younger generation of protesters rose to prominence, and tumbled further during the course of her election campaign this year.

Her attempt to push through a planned Palace Museum in Hong Kong, showing artefacts from the museum in Beijing&#39;s Forbidden City, was criticised for being presented as a done deal without public consultation, highlighting what some describe as her &quot;autocratic&quot; style, according to a source who knows her.

She is not well regarded by the opposition democratic camp, with most of the 300 or so democrats seen having voted for former Financial Secretary John Tsang.

The bespectacled Lam was also criticised by student leaders for being &quot;vague&quot; after their televised meeting failed to defuse the 2014 protests. The demonstration ran out of steam two months later and ended with police clearing the streets.

During her campaign, Lam attempted to present a softer, more populist image, but was ridiculed for gaffes including not appearing to know how to use subway turnstiles.

She was also lampooned for a late-night hunt for toilet paper which took her to her posh former home on the Peak after she failed to find any at a convenience store.

The daughter of a Shanghainese immigrant who worked on ships and a mother who had never received a formal education, Lam grew up in a cramped apartment shared by four siblings and several families.

A devout Catholic and a student of sociology at the University of Hong Kong, Lam took part in social activism before joining the government. She is married with two sons.

Lam formally becomes head of the global financial hub on July 1.

She joins a select group of female leaders who have risen to the top job in Asia in recent years including Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, hugely distrusted by China, and ousted South Korean president Park Geun-hye, who angered Beijing with her plans to deploy a US&nbsp;missile defence system to counter the threat from North Korea.

(Reuters)

She will only tell us what Beijing wants, and won't reflect what the people want to the communist regime: Umbrella Movement protester

Carrie Lam, who won an election to become Hong Kong's first female chief executive on Sunday, is a former student activist who climbed the rungs of the civil service over 36 years, and a tough, capable and possibly divisive Beijing-backed leader. Lam, 59, most recently Hong Kong's number two official, has to unify the Chinese-ruled city as public resentment swells at Beijing's growing interference in its affairs despite being promised a high degree of autonomy. She also has to reinvigorate the economy and address growing social inequalities and high property prices. Several sources who have worked with Lam say she's intelligent, hard-working and able to push controversial government policies, earning her the trust of Beijing factions who strongly lobbied for votes on her behalf. But her hardline and pro-Beijing tendencies, say critics and opposition democrats, risk sowing further social divisions in the former British colony that returned to China 20 years ago under a "once country, two systems" formula that guarantees it wide-ranging freedoms. "Carrie Lam...is a nightmare for Hong Kong," said student activist Joshua Wong, 20, one of the leaders of the student-led "Umbrella Movement" protests in 2014 which blocked the streets for 79 days demanding full democracy. "Theoretically, the chief executive is a bridge between the central government and the Hong Kong people. But Lam will be a tilted bridge. She will only tell us what Beijing wants, and won't reflect what the people want to the communist regime." Lam, 59, dubbed "the fighter" by media, was once the most popular official in the cabinet of staunchly pro-Beijing incumbent chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, who in 2012 won a similar election restricted to just 1,200 voters. "Picking Carrie as chief secretary was Leung's best appointment," said a senior government official who declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media. But she could also sometimes be a "bully", he added. SOFTER IMAGE Lam's popularity began to slip just as a younger generation of protesters rose to prominence, and tumbled further during the course of her election campaign this year. Her attempt to push through a planned Palace Museum in Hong Kong, showing artefacts from the museum in Beijing's Forbidden City, was criticised for being presented as a done deal without public consultation, highlighting what some describe as her "autocratic" style, according to a source who knows her. She is not well regarded by the opposition democratic camp, with most of the 300 or so democrats seen having voted for former Financial Secretary John Tsang. The bespectacled Lam was also criticised by student leaders for being "vague" after their televised meeting failed to defuse the 2014 protests. The demonstration ran out of steam two months later and ended with police clearing the streets. During her campaign, Lam attempted to present a softer, more populist image, but was ridiculed for gaffes including not appearing to know how to use subway turnstiles. She was also lampooned for a late-night hunt for toilet paper which took her to her posh former home on the Peak after she failed to find any at a convenience store. The daughter of a Shanghainese immigrant who worked on ships and a mother who had never received a formal education, Lam grew up in a cramped apartment shared by four siblings and several families. A devout Catholic and a student of sociology at the University of Hong Kong, Lam took part in social activism before joining the government. She is married with two sons. Lam formally becomes head of the global financial hub on July 1. She joins a select group of female leaders who have risen to the top job in Asia in recent years including Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, hugely distrusted by China, and ousted South Korean president Park Geun-hye, who angered Beijing with her plans to deploy a US missile defence system to counter the threat from North Korea. (Reuters)

Hong Kong elects its first female leader, Beijing-backed Carrie Lam

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