CE Says Sorry Over Extradition Saga

Chief Executive Carrie Lam apologised through a statement on Sunday evening for how her administration has handled its unpopular bid to amend Hong Kong’s extradition laws, as hundreds of thousands of people once again packed the streets in one of the largest demonstrations ever seen in the city.

While Lam had expressed "regret" over shortcomings in her government’s work on the bill during a press conference on Saturday, the short statement issued on Sunday night as major roads were taken over by throngs of protesters was the first time the Chief Executive delivered an explicit apology.

A government spokesman said “the Chief Executive admitted that the deficiencies in the government's work had led to substantial controversies and disputes in society, causing disappointment and grief among the people. The Chief Executive apologised to the people of Hong Kong for this and pledged to adopt a most sincere and humble attitude to accept criticisms and make improvements in serving the public.”

The spokesman also reiterated that all work on pushing the extradition bill through Legco has been suspended “with a view to restoring calmness in society as soon as possible and avoiding any injuries to any persons.”

The statement stressed there is no timetable for restarting the legislative process.

The statement was issued just one day after Lam insisted at a press conference that the extradition changes are necessary and well-intentioned, and the suspension does not mean the bill will be scrapped entirely.

Lam had said she still believes the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance are "fully justified" and there is a need to plug a "loophole" in the SAR's laws.