China says some forces seek to undermine stability of Hong Kong
China's top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, said legislation was fully in line with the interests of Hong Kong’s people
June 19, 2019
BEIJING: The Chinese government’s top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, said Wednesday that some forces are seeking to undermine stability in Hong Kong, which has been racked by protests against an extradition bill.
The legislation was fully in line with the interests of Hong Kong’s people, but probably needed further discussion, Wang told reporters at a news conference with Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok.
Lam signals end to bill, refuses to quit
A day prior, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam had signalled the end of a controversial extradition bill that she promoted and then postponed after some of the most violent protests since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
In a closely-watched press conference, Lam had apologised for the turmoil but refused to say the bill would be “withdrawn”, only that it wouldn’t be re-introduced during her time in office if public fears persist.
This was the strongest indicator yet that the government was effectively shelving legislation that would allow people to be extradited to mainland China to face trial, even if it fell short of protester demands for the government to scrap the bill altogether.
“Because this bill over the past few months has caused so much anxiety, and worries and differences in opinion, I will not, this is an undertaking,” Lam had told reporters.
"I will not proceed again with this legislative exercise if these fears and anxieties cannot be adequately addressed," she had added.
Lam, appearing both contrite and defiant, had used much of the same language as a previous press conference on Saturday when she announced a postponement of the bill. A day later, about two million people spilt on to the streets, many demanding that she step down.
