This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-48577907

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Hong Kong protests: Chinese state media blames 'foreign forces' Hong Kong protests: Leader Carrie Lam defiant after massive protest
(about 2 hours later)
"Foreign forces" are seeking to "to hurt China by trying to create havoc in Hong Kong", Chinese state media said after mass protests in the territory. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has said she will not scrap a controversial plan to allow extradition to China, despite mass protests.
On Sunday, hundreds of thousands of people rallied against a proposed law critics fear could let China target political opponents in Hong Kong. On Sunday, hundreds of thousands of people rallied against the bill which critics fear allows China to target political opponents in the city.
Clashes later erupted between hundreds of demonstrators and police. Speaking to reporters on Monday, she insisted the law was necessary and said human rights safeguards were in place.
The government said plans will go ahead for the second reading of the extradition bill on Wednesday. Chinese state media said "foreign forces" were behind the protests.
Organisers estimate that one million people took part in the march, however police put the figure at 240,000 at its peak. Organisers estimate that one million people took part in Sunday's march, however police put the figure at 240,000 at its peak.
If the organisers' estimate is confirmed as correct, it would be the largest demonstration in Hong Kong since the territory was handed over to China by the British in 1997.If the organisers' estimate is confirmed as correct, it would be the largest demonstration in Hong Kong since the territory was handed over to China by the British in 1997.
What did Chinese media say? Human rights safeguards
According to the editorial in China Daily state-run newspaper, "some Hong Kong residents have been hoodwinked by the opposition camp and their foreign allies into supporting the anti-extradition campaign". On Monday, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said in a press conference the law would in no way erode any of the special freedoms the territory enjoys.
The paper argues that "any fair-minded person" would support the "long overdue" bill meant "to plug legal loopholes and prevent Hong Kong from becoming a safe haven for criminals". "The bill wasn't initiated by Beijing," Ms Lam said, explaining the law was proposed out of "conscience" and "commitment to Hong Kong".
Critics to the bill say those in the former British colony would be exposed to China's deeply flawed justice system, and it would lead to further erosion of the city's judicial independence. She also promised legally binding human rights safeguards, and regular reports of implementation of cases to the legislature.
The government plans to go ahead with the second reading of the extradition bill on Wednesday.
Critics of the bill say it would expose Hong Kong residents to China's deeply flawed justice system, and it would lead to further erosion of the city's judicial independence.
Supporters say safeguards are in place to prevent anyone facing religious or political persecution from being extradited to mainland China.Supporters say safeguards are in place to prevent anyone facing religious or political persecution from being extradited to mainland China.
After Sunday's protests tapered off, violence broke out between some protesters and police. At least three officers and a journalist were injured, according to police. The march was seen as a major rebuke of Ms Lam, who has pushed for the amendments to be passed before July.
Early on Monday, Police Commissioner Stephen Lo condemned the violence and said it damaged the city's tradition of peaceful protests. 'Protesters find it hard to change minds'
By Grace Tsoi, BBC News, Hong Kong
Whichever number you believe, this was a huge protest by Hong Kong's standards and this controversial bill has prompted opposition from the most unexpected corners of society.
Two years ago, Carrie Lam ran on a manifesto of "We Connect", vowing to unite a deeply split society after the 79-day Umbrella Movement in 2014.
Ms Lam was never the most popular candidate running to be Hong Kong's leader - and she won largely because of Beijing's blessing.
She has always been considered a capable, experienced bureaucrat who is deft at tackling thorny issues - her moniker is "good fighter". But critics say the city's first female leader is arrogant, elitist and unwilling to listen to the people.
It was also hard to imagine she would fare worse than her predecessor Leung Chun-ying, a pro-Beijing hardliner who was widely disliked. But the banners out on Sunday - many with her face emblazoned on - is an indication of just how personal this protest has got.
The huge turnout is a surprise to many, but Ms Lam's unpopularity will not necessarily taint her political career.
"The Hong Kong government is now mostly, if not only, accountable to the central government and no longer considers public opinion as its source of legitimacy," Samson Yuen, a political scientist at Lingnan University, told the BBC.
By this logic, the protesters will find it hard to change minds at the top.
On Monday, the protests were strongly criticised by an editorial in the state run newspaper China Daily, arguing that "some Hong Kong residents have been hoodwinked by the opposition camp and their foreign allies into supporting the anti-extradition campaign".
The paper argues that "any fair-minded person" would support the "long overdue" bill meant "to plug legal loopholes and prevent Hong Kong from becoming a safe haven for criminals".
After Sunday's mass protests tapered off, violence broke out between some protesters and police. At least three officers and a journalist were injured, according to police.
What are the proposed changes?What are the proposed changes?
The proposal comes after a 19-year-old Hong Kong man allegedly murdered his 20-year-old pregnant girlfriend while they were holidaying in Taiwan together in February last year.The proposal comes after a 19-year-old Hong Kong man allegedly murdered his 20-year-old pregnant girlfriend while they were holidaying in Taiwan together in February last year.
The man fled to Hong Kong and could not be extradited to Taiwan because no extradition treaty exists between the two.The man fled to Hong Kong and could not be extradited to Taiwan because no extradition treaty exists between the two.
The changes will allow for extradition requests from authorities in mainland China, Taiwan and Macau for suspects accused of criminal wrongdoing such as murder and rape. The changes will allow for extradition requests from authorities in mainland China, Taiwan and Macau for suspects accused of criminal wrongdoing such as murder and rape. The requests will then be decided on a case-by-case basis.
The requests will then be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Hong Kong officials have said Hong Kong courts will have the final say over whether to grant such extradition requests, and suspects accused of political and religious crimes will not be extradited.Hong Kong officials have said Hong Kong courts will have the final say over whether to grant such extradition requests, and suspects accused of political and religious crimes will not be extradited.
There has been a lot of public opposition, and critics say people would be subject to arbitrary detention, unfair trial and torture under China's judicial system. But critics say people would be subject to arbitrary detention, unfair trial and torture under China's judicial system.
Opposition against the law is widespread across Hong Kong, with groups from all sections of society - ranging from lawyers to schools to house wives - having voiced their criticism or started petitions against the changes.Opposition against the law is widespread across Hong Kong, with groups from all sections of society - ranging from lawyers to schools to house wives - having voiced their criticism or started petitions against the changes.
The government has sought to reassure the public with some concessions, including promising to only hand over fugitives for offences carrying maximum sentences of at least seven years.The government has sought to reassure the public with some concessions, including promising to only hand over fugitives for offences carrying maximum sentences of at least seven years.
The Hong Kong government said on Sunday it would continue to address concerns over the controversial bill.
How did the protest unfold?
For several hours on Sunday, protesters marched in the sweltering heat dressed in white, in a mainly peaceful demonstration that included a wide range of people - from businesspeople and lawyers to students, pro-democracy figures and religious groups.
The figures given by organisers and police vary because of the different methods they use to calculate the crowds: while organisers estimate overall numbers, police look at how many people were gathered at one peak.
The march was seen as a major rebuke of Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam, who has pushed for the amendments to be passed before July.
Reacting to the protest, a government spokesman said in a statement the proposals were "firmly grounded in the rule of law" and that the second reading of the bill at the Legislative Council would resume on Wednesday.
Isn't Hong Kong under Chinese rule anyway?Isn't Hong Kong under Chinese rule anyway?
A former British colony, Hong Kong is semi-autonomous under the principle of "one country, two systems" after it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.A former British colony, Hong Kong is semi-autonomous under the principle of "one country, two systems" after it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
The city has its own laws and its residents enjoy civil liberties unavailable to their mainland counterparts.The city has its own laws and its residents enjoy civil liberties unavailable to their mainland counterparts.
Reports about Sunday's protests were heavily censored in mainland China with international media blocked and searches on social media directed to pro-Beijing publications in Hong Kong.Reports about Sunday's protests were heavily censored in mainland China with international media blocked and searches on social media directed to pro-Beijing publications in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has entered into extradition agreements with 20 countries, including the UK and the US, but no such agreements have been reached with mainland China despite ongoing negotiations in the past two decades.Hong Kong has entered into extradition agreements with 20 countries, including the UK and the US, but no such agreements have been reached with mainland China despite ongoing negotiations in the past two decades.
Critics have attributed such failures to poor legal protection for defendants under Chinese law.Critics have attributed such failures to poor legal protection for defendants under Chinese law.