Hong Kong's push to allow extraditions to China prompts protests
Hong Kong is pushing forward with plans to change its laws to allow for the extradition of criminals to China for the first time, prompting widespread protests and fears for the territory’s judicial independence. Proposed amendments to Hong Kong’s extradition were introduced at the city’s legislative council on Wednesday, after thousands of demonstrators took to the streets at the weekend. The Hong Kong chief executive, Carrie Lam, defended the proposal, which would give her the power to order the transfer of suspects to China. Current Hong Kong law bars any renditions to China or other jurisdictions of the People’s Republic of China.
