 By Ishaan Bhattacharya
Contentious separatist protests have taken place in Hong Kong during recent months. The protesters feared that extradition to China could subvert judicial independence, something that Hong Kong values. City leader Carrie Lam agreed to suspend the extradition bill, but demonstrations evolved to include demands for full democracy and an inquiry into police actions. Clashes between police and activists have become increasingly violent, with police firing live bullets and protesters attacking officers and throwing petrol bombs. Protest action at Hong Kong international airport in August also led to hundreds of flights being cancelled. Recently in Washington, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill known as the “Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.” The bill requests that several government departments consider whether recent political developments in Hong Kong require the U.S. to change the region’s special trading status. This is a demonstration of support to the protesters by the U.S., therefore, mainland China is likely to retaliate against the U.S. especially amid an intensifying trade war between the two nations. In conclusion, many Hong Kong civilians feared that extradition to China could sabotage judicial independence and have retaliated with violent protests. Sources: The Washington Post South China Morning Post Comments are closed.
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