Over one million-strong filled the streets in Hong Kong to protest a new extradition proposal that would allow mainland China to extradite individuals living on the island.
The extradition law makes it possible for Hong Kong to extradite people to any country—even if there isn’t currently an extradition agreement in place between the two, which includes mainland China.
The Beijing-friendly lawmakers pushing the bill state that it is a necessary step to ensure that Hong Kong does not remain a sanctuary for criminals and dissidents who escape from the mainland.
Opponents of the law argue that it infringes on the autonomous nature of Hong Kong as a special administrative region.
Under the law, the protesters state, those who are traveling or residing in Hong Kong could be extradited to mainland China and face an unjust and draconian legal system.
In recent years, officials in mainland China have tried to exert more control over Hong Kong.
The marchers see the extradition law as a further attempt of “Chinafication” of the thriving financial hub.
This the second massive protest concerning the proposed extradition change, and the largest demonstrations in Hong Kong since the British handed over the island to China in 1997.
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