BEIJING BACKS OFF: Hong Kong Leader Officially Withdraws Controversial ‘Extradition’ Bill

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam officially withdrew a controversial extradition bill that would allow Beijing to extradite the region’s residents to the Chinese capital to stand trial; ending months of protests from pro-democracy demonstrators.

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“The bill allowing Hong Kong residents to be sent to mainland China for trials sparked massive protests that have rocked the city since June. Lam had suspended the bill, but protesters wanted it entirely withdrawn,” reports Fox News.

“For more than two months, protests arising from the Fugitive Offenders Bill have continued,” Lam said in a prerecorded message Wednesday.

“There have been chaotic scenes at the airport and MTR stations; roads and tunnels have been suddenly blocked, causing delay and inconvenience to daily life,” Lam continued. “Visitors wonder whether our city is still a safe place for travel or business. Families and friends have been under stress, and arguments have flared.”

“For many people, Hong Kong has become an unfamiliar place. Incidents over these past two months have shocked and saddened Hong Kong people. We are all very anxious about Hong Kong, our home. We all hope to find a way out of the current impasse and unsettling times,” she added.

Read the full report at Fox News.

Original Story: August 14, 2019

Flights were once-again flying in and out of Hong Kong International Airport Wednesday just hours after violent clashes between riot police and pro-democracy protesters shut-down one of the world’ busiest transportation hubs.

“Although the airport was open, authorities limited access to the main terminal to employees and ticketed passengers only. A few dozen demonstrators remained camped inside the arrivals terminal but the scene was quiet and calm compared to the previous night,” reports ABC News.

“The Hong Kong International Airport, one of the world’s busiest, was forced to suspend check-in services and cancel hundreds of flights on Monday and Tuesday, as thousands of protesters stormed the terminals and clashed with riot police,” adds the site.

Chinese authorities reportedly moved troops and military equipment to their border with Hong Kong Tuesday; raising new questions over safety and security throughout the region after weeks of pro-Democracy protests.

“Paramilitary police were assembling across the border in the city of Shenzhen for exercises in what some saw as a threat to increase force brought against the mostly young protesters who have turned out in their thousands over the past 10 weeks,” reports CBS News.

China's state media has released footage showing increased military buildup in Shenzhen, on the border with Hong Kong.

They say that this is a routine drill, though critics fear that this is a message to Hong Kong protesters. pic.twitter.com/4ZsjRdBDLd

— DW News (@dwnews) August 13, 2019

“The demonstrators have shown no sign of letting up on their campaign to force Lam’s administration to respond to their demands, including that she step down and entirely scrap legislation that could have seen criminal suspects sent to mainland China to face torture and unfair or politically charged trials,” adds the website.

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