'Government Will Not Betray Hongkongers'

The Chief Secretary, Matthew Cheung, has sought to allay public concerns over the controversial extradition bill, ahead of a planned mass protest against the plan which would allow one-off transfer of fugitives to jurisdictions like the mainland.

Speaking on a TV programme, Cheung stressed the Hong Kong government will not betray the people of Hong Kong. He dismissed claims that people could be surrendered for political reasons, saying the proposed arrangements exclude political crimes.

But that’s failed to assure critics, who insist Hong Kong people simply do not have any faith in the mainland judicial system.

One of those who plan to attend Sunday's march, Cardinal Joseph Zen, said everyone in Hong Kong risks being sent across the border for one reason or the other.

"Everybody must understand that everybody should be afraid of this new law and so it is not only a duty, but in the interest of each one to come out", Zen said.

Protest organiser Civil Human Rights Front, for its part, said the turnout could exceed that of the July 1 rally in 2003, when 500,000 people protested against a proposed national security law.

It said it will deploy over a hundred staff to maintain order.

Meanwhile, a source has told RTHK that authorities have found no evidence that two petrol bomb attacks targeting the police were linked to Sunday’s rally.

Four men are still being detained in connection with Friday’s attacks, which took place in Wan Chai and Happy Valley.

A 24-year-old with a suspected triad background is believed to have thrown the bombs in both cases.