Government Closes CGO Again On Safety Concerns

The government says the Central Government Offices at Tamar in Admiralty will be temporarily closed on Friday, due to safety considerations. It's the fifth time the offices have been closed because of anti-extradition protests nearby.

In a statement, the government said staff should not go to the offices and they should work according contingency plans. All visits have been postponed or cancelled.

Anti-extradition protesters are stepping up their action after a 5 pm deadline passed on Thursday without the government acting on their demands. They want the permanent withdrawal of the extradition bill, an inquiry into the policing of the June 12 mass protests in Admiralty, the withdrawal of the description of that protest as a 'riot', and the release without charge of all arrested protesters.

The government has already suspended the extradition bill. It will automatically lapse when the current Legislative Council's 4-year term ends in July 2020.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive's Office says Carrie Lam has already apologised to the people of Hong Kong for mishandling the extradition bill. A spokesperson told RTHK that Mrs Lam understands the wish of young people to be heard and respected, and that she will reach out to them in future.

The statement also said people should express their views in a rational and peaceful manner.

Earlier on Thursday, veteran pro-democracy campaigner Martin Lee said he understood why people were calling for the protests to be stepped up, but that he hoped those taking part wouldn't resort to violence.

"I do not hope they do something that spoils the efforts of so many young people, so successfully, so far," he said.

The founding chairman of the Democratic Party said the young protesters had already won the admiration of the whole world because of the peaceful means they use.