Hong Kong Formally Scraps Extradition Bill that Sparked Protests

Hong Kong, October 23, 2019:

Hong Kong's legislature has formally scrapped the controversial extradition bill that sparked widespread protests across Hong Kong.

The bill, which was introduced in April, would have allowed for criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets and the bill was eventually suspended.

Meanwhile, the protests have spiralled into a wider pro-democracy movement, and protesters have vowed to continue the unrest.

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Hong Kong's protests started in June against proposals to allow extradition to mainland China. Critics feared this could undermine the Hong Kong's judicial independence and endanger dissidents.

Until 1997, Hong Kong was a British colony, meaning it was controlled by Britain. Since returning to Chinese rule, it has more autonomy than the mainland, and its people more rights. The arrangement is known as "one country, two systems".

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