Hong Kong Leader Formally Withdraws Extradition Bill
The Primary: Hong Kong’s Leader Carrie Lam announced she is formally withdrawing the bill that would have extradited Hong Kong citizens to mainland China. The legislation sparked protests across the city.
Who? What? Why?: Lam said the Chinese government "understands, respects and supports” the move to withdraw the new law. But questions still remain regarding the future of the bill.
The Baseline: Some Hong Kong legislators and protestors think the move is futile. To many, like pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo, the “damage has been done” and the police brutality incurred will have long-lasting effects on Hong Kong residents’ perception of China’s involvement, reports Reuters.
From the Left: Ching Kwan Lee of the Los Angeles Times says Lam is offering “too little, too late.” She argues Lam’s announcement won’t silence the protestors, as they would rather die than submit to any form of a Chinese regime and as the protest slogan says, “If we burn, you burn with us.”
From the Right: Tom Rogan of the Washington Examiner looks ahead, worrying that the lack of calm following Lam’s announcement could mean danger sometime soon in Hong Kong. He argues that the Chinese government, seeing no other option, might resort to violence on Hong Kong Citizens.