Public sentiment against the government’s contentious extradition bill is plain to see in the crowds taking to the streets in protest, with Sunday’s mass rally reflecting the height of opposition. But the large-scale protests are not enough to force the government to backtrack on the amended legislation, which would allow the transfer of fugitives from Hong Kong to mainland China, Taiwan, Macau and other jurisdictions with which the city has no extradition deal. The bill is bound to be passed this summer, as the government has secured enough support from its allies in the Legislative Council to produce the number of votes it needs.
