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Chaos as Hong Kong's Carrie Lam tries to give 'state of the union' | Chaos as Hong Kong's Carrie Lam tries to give 'state of the union' |
(32 minutes later) | |
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam was forced to suspend her annual address after being heckled in the city's parliament. | Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam was forced to suspend her annual address after being heckled in the city's parliament. |
Opposition lawmakers disrupted the session from the start by shouting and projecting slogans. | Opposition lawmakers disrupted the session from the start by shouting and projecting slogans. |
After a first interruption, the session resumed only to be interrupted again. It was then suspended, with the address delivered by pre-recorded video. | |
The suspension means the extradition bill - which sparked months of protests - was unable to be withdrawn formally. | |
Hong Kong has experienced months of protests since the extradition bill was introduced in April. | |
The Legislative Council (Legco) resumed on Wednesday for the first time since it was stormed by protesters in July. | |
Now the withdrawal of the bill will only be possible once Legco resumes. | |
The bill was suspended in July - but the move failed to quell protests in the city. | |
On Wednesday, as the city's chief executive was about to begin her speech, opposition lawmakers projected the slogan "Five demands - not one less" on the wall behind her. | |
Since the protests began in June, they have widened from rallies against the extradition bill to five key demands - including universal suffrage. | Since the protests began in June, they have widened from rallies against the extradition bill to five key demands - including universal suffrage. |
Opposition lawmaker Tanya Chan said Ms Lam was to blame for the city's troubles. | Opposition lawmaker Tanya Chan said Ms Lam was to blame for the city's troubles. |
"Both her hands are soaked with blood," she said. "We hope Carrie Lam withdraws and quits. She has no governance ability. She is not suitable to be chief executive." | "Both her hands are soaked with blood," she said. "We hope Carrie Lam withdraws and quits. She has no governance ability. She is not suitable to be chief executive." |
It was the first time a Hong Kong chief executive has been unable to deliver a policy address in the chamber. | |
Pro-establishment lawmakers condemned the interruption of the session - saying the address was important for the city's economic future. | Pro-establishment lawmakers condemned the interruption of the session - saying the address was important for the city's economic future. |
Ms Lam's interrupted speech came just hours after US lawmakers supported Hong Kong's protesters by passing a bill aimed at upholding human rights in the city. | |
After the assembly was suspended a second time, the speech was made available as a video on the Legco website - instead of live from the parliament chamber. | |
In the address, she stressed her commitment to "one country, two systems" - introduced after British rule ended - and that Hong Kong independence was not tolerable. | |
She then announced several housing and infrastructure policies, saying housing was the most urgent issue the city faces. | |
What are the Hong Kong protests about? | What are the Hong Kong protests about? |
Hong Kong is part of China but, as a former British colony, has some autonomy and people have more rights. | Hong Kong is part of China but, as a former British colony, has some autonomy and people have more rights. |
The protests started in June against plans to allow extradition to the mainland - which many feared would undermine the city's freedoms and judicial independence. | The protests started in June against plans to allow extradition to the mainland - which many feared would undermine the city's freedoms and judicial independence. |
The bill was withdrawn in September but demonstrations continued. Demands have widened to include genuine universal suffrage and an inquiry into police behaviour. | The bill was withdrawn in September but demonstrations continued. Demands have widened to include genuine universal suffrage and an inquiry into police behaviour. |
Protests have taken place every weekend over the past month and in every district, causing widespread disruption. | Protests have taken place every weekend over the past month and in every district, causing widespread disruption. |
Clashes between police and activists have become increasingly violent, with police firing live bullets and protesters attacking officers and throwing petrol bombs. | Clashes between police and activists have become increasingly violent, with police firing live bullets and protesters attacking officers and throwing petrol bombs. |
Ms Lam's address was scheduled just days after Chinese President Xi Jinping said any attempt to divide China would end in "bodies smashed and bones ground to powder". | Ms Lam's address was scheduled just days after Chinese President Xi Jinping said any attempt to divide China would end in "bodies smashed and bones ground to powder". |
While he did not mention any particular region, his comment was seen as a warning to Hong Kong, where protests have a strong anti-Beijing element. | While he did not mention any particular region, his comment was seen as a warning to Hong Kong, where protests have a strong anti-Beijing element. |
How did the protests escalate? | How did the protests escalate? |
In July, hundreds of protesters stormed Legco, spraying graffiti and defacing symbols of the Hong Kong law-making body. | In July, hundreds of protesters stormed Legco, spraying graffiti and defacing symbols of the Hong Kong law-making body. |
In August, one protester was injured in the eye, leading to demonstrators wearing red-coloured eye patches to show their solidarity. | In August, one protester was injured in the eye, leading to demonstrators wearing red-coloured eye patches to show their solidarity. |
Protests at Hong Kong international airport then led to hundreds of flights being cancelled. | Protests at Hong Kong international airport then led to hundreds of flights being cancelled. |
When the bill was finally withdrawn in September, most protesters said it was "too little, too late". | When the bill was finally withdrawn in September, most protesters said it was "too little, too late". |
On 1 October, while China was celebrating 70 years of Communist Party rule, Hong Kong experienced what authorities said was one of its most "violent and chaotic days". | On 1 October, while China was celebrating 70 years of Communist Party rule, Hong Kong experienced what authorities said was one of its most "violent and chaotic days". |
An 18-year-old was shot in the chest with a live bullet, one of six rounds were fired by police. Protesters also fought officers with poles, petrol bombs and other projectiles. | An 18-year-old was shot in the chest with a live bullet, one of six rounds were fired by police. Protesters also fought officers with poles, petrol bombs and other projectiles. |
The government then banned protesters wearing face masks, invoking powers dating back to colonial rule. Many activists continue to defy the ban. | The government then banned protesters wearing face masks, invoking powers dating back to colonial rule. Many activists continue to defy the ban. |
Last Sunday, peaceful rallies again descended into clashes with railway stations and shops deemed to be pro-Beijing targeted. | Last Sunday, peaceful rallies again descended into clashes with railway stations and shops deemed to be pro-Beijing targeted. |