'Carrie Lam Should Heed Legislature Over Protests'

An academic said on Monday that the peaceful protest on Sunday, which concluded the first weekend in weeks without tear gas, provides a chance to calm the situation and try for dialogue.

The Civil Human Rights Front said 1.7 million people joined its anti-extradition rally in Victoria Park, which spilled onto surrounding roads due to the limited space. Police put the figure at almost 130,000 at the rally's peak.

Simon Young, a constitutional law expert from the University of Hong Kong, said political conflicts should be resolved in the legislature and not on the streets.

"Ultimately I think the solution lies in the legislature. If we're going to make any progress we have to recognise the purpose and role of the legislature, because after all the legislature is supposed to represent the people.

"And so I would say that Carrie Lam, and the administration, should try to empower the legislature for a longer-term solution, and seek advice from legislators."

As to whether the extradition bill should be withdrawn, Lam should say 'well the legislature have voted in favour of withdrawing it, so let's withdraw it', he said.

Young said similarly, if legislators want an independent inquiry into the whole saga the CE should follow their lead.