Hong Kong: China to not let Carrie Lam to step down if she wants so
Hong Kong, Jun.17 (HS): Amidst upheaval in Hong Kong against extradition law favoring case against its citizen to be transferred to China, Beijing, is not in a mood to let Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, step down even if she wanted to, a senior city government official close to her said on Monday.
Opposition to the proposed law allowing extradition to mainland China has ignited the city’s biggest and most violent street protests in decades over the past week. Beijing-backed Chief Executive Lam indefinitely delayed the legislation on Saturday. But her dramatic gesture failed to mollify a city increasingly outraged over the prospect of legislation that lawyers and judges say risks exposing people to the mercy of a mainland justice system plagued by torture, forced confessions and arbitrary detention.
The bill, which will cover Hong Kong residents and foreign and Chinese nationals living or travelling through the city, has also sparked concern it would threaten the rule of law that underpins Hong Kong’s international financial status.