Beijing Still Trusts Lam, Loyalists Told

Local delegates to the National People's Congress say the central government respects and supports the Chief Executive's decision to suspend the extradition bill.

However it's also been reported that Beijing is unhappy at the way Carrie Lam has handled the saga.

Over 200 delegates to the country's top legislature and advisory bodies were invited to a meeting at the Liaison Office in Western on Sunday morning.

NPC Standing Committee member Tam Yiu-chung said Beijing expressed support for Lam, and urged the delegates to stay united to help her govern according to the law.

However Reuters has reported that a source in Beijing with ties to the central leadership, said the SAR government had handled the situation badly.

The source also added that Beijing now has severe doubts about Lam’s capabilities.

Meanwhile Executive Councillor Regina Ip says the suspension of the bill is in effect a withdrawal, as Lam will is unlikely to revisit the controversial issue again during her term.

Ip says she believes the current administration will not re-introduce the bill in the next one to two years.