Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam anunced September 4 government will formally withdraw an extrition bill that sparked months of demonstrations, bowing to one of protesters’ demands in hope of ending increasingly violent unrest. But lawmakers warned that bill’s withdrawal was t eugh to end turmoil, which has increasingly focused on alleged police brutality against protesters and democratic reforms. A youth activist also rejected move as insincere and warned it could be a precursor to a clampdown. bill would have allowed Hong Kong residents to be sent to mainland China for trials. It has prompted massive protests since June that disrupted transport links and caused airport to shut down earlier this month.

Lam: Government would t accept or demands

Lam said government would t accept or demands including an independent inquiry into alleged police misconduct and unconditional release of those detained. Inste, she named two new members to a police watchdog ncy investigating matter. “ government will formally withdraw bill in order to fully allay public concerns,” she said in a recorded television mess. She said persistent violence is damaging rule of law and that challenges to “one country, two systems” policy h put Hong Kong in a “highly vulnerable and dangerous situation.” Our foremost priority w is to end violence, to safeguard rule of law and to restore order and safety in society,” she ded, vowing to “strictly enforce law against all violent and illegal acts.”Lam said it was clear that public frustration has gone far beyond bill and that her government will seek a dialogue with aggrieved groups to “dress discontent in society and to look for solutions.”She said she will also invite community leers, professionals, and acemics to examine deep-seated problems in society and vise government on solutions.“Let’s replace conflicts with conversations, and let’s look for solutions,” she said. Lam me anuncement after meeting with pro-government lawmakers and members of National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Lawmaker Michael Tien, who was at meeting, said move would t change public sentiment if it isn’t accompanied by or concessions.

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Protestors: All demands should be fulfilled

“It is too little, too late. focus w has completely shifted. Most people do t remember what bill is about but are more concerned about escalating violence and alleged police heavy-handedness against protesters,” he said. He said Lam rejected his call during meeting for an independent inquiry which would have power to summon witnesses, on ground that it would overlap with police watchdog probe. Pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo said protesters are amant that all ir demands, including calls for direct elections, are fulfilled. She mocked Lam’s bid to seek dialogue to dress public grievances.
“She has been fast asleep se three months, this is just absurd,” Mo said. “ scars and wounds are still bleeding, and she thinks she can just use some garden hose to put out hill fire. That is t acceptable.” Prominent pro-democracy youth activist Joshua Wong warned that apparent concessions by government “always come with a far tighter grip on exercising civil rights.”
“y have conceded thing in fact, and a full-scale clampdown is on way,” he tweeted.

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Protests plummet ecomy

Pro-establishment lawmaker Starry Lee, however, urged protesters to accept government’s olive branch so city can move forward. Hong Kong stock market soared 4%, boosted by reports of bill’s withdrawal. Lam has come under wiring criticism for pushing extrition bill, which many in Hong Kong see as an example of city’s eroding automy since former British colony returned to Chinese control in 1997. She was elected as Hong Kong’s chief executive by a pro-Beijing committee of Hong Kong elites, and mainland government has spoken in support of her government and city’s police force throughout protests. Clashes between police and protesters have become increasingly violent, with demonstrators throwing gasoline bombs and rods at officers in protests last weekend. Authorities, in turn, have employed water canns, tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons. More than 1,100 people have been detained. mostly young protesters say that a degree of violence is necessary to get government’s attention after peaceful rallies were futile. In Beijing, mainland office responsible for Hong Kong has warned that China will “t sit idly by” if situation worsens. prolonged protests have hurt Hong Kong’s ecomy amid a slowdown in Chinese ecomy and its tre war with United States. Hong Kong and foreign companies have also been under intense pressure to support China’s ruling Communist Party against protesters. chairman of Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways resigned Wednesday, becoming second top figure to leave airline since protests erupted. Cathay said John Slosar was retiring from airline, one of Hong Kong’s most prominent businesses. It comes less than one month after Cathay’s CEO, Rupert Hogg, resigned following pressure by Beijing over participation by some of carrier’s employees in protests.

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