For months, demonstrators in Hong Kong have been taking to the streets in massive protest.
The movement began over concerns about a proposed bill allowing Hong Kong citizens to be extradited to mainland China. It has evolved into a direct challenge to China's Communist Party rule over Hong Kong.
- Watch the Wednesday morning segment above.
Here are the key points:
The extradition bill
- Major protests began in June over concerns that Hong Kong was set to pass a bill allowing individuals to be extradited to mainland China.
- The proposed law stoked fear that civil liberties currently enjoyed by Hong Kongers, but denied in mainland China, would be eroded.
- Basic Law in Hong Kong guarantees that Chinese authorities cannot stifle dissent as they do across the mainland.
- Defenders of the bill said it would target criminals in Hong Kong fleeing legal systems elsewhere.
- Opponents fear the law would target not just criminals, but political activists as well.
- Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam insisted the bill would not apply to issues of free speech, but protesters were unconvinced.
- In response to initial protests, the bill was suspended, but it has not been withdrawn .
- Read more: What Is Hong Kong’s Extradition Bill?
One country, two systems
- Hong Kong was a British colony until 1997, when it was transferred to China under a “one country, two systems” arrangement.
- “One country, two systems” would allow Hong Kong to continue functioning as it had been, with its own independent legal system and police force.
- The arrangement was set to last for 50 years.
- The proposal of the extradition bill was the latest move to concern democracy activists.
- Earlier this year , a bill was proposed that would criminalize Hong Kongers for disrespecting the Chinese national anthem.
- Read more: What is China’s “one country, two systems” policy?
The protests
- Began in April as a peaceful demonstration against the government.
- They have evolved into a direct challenge to China’s Communist Party rule over Hong Kong.
- Protests began as weekend marches in the streets, but have become a daily phenomenon with increasingly violent clashes between police and demonstrators.
- In June, 2 million people reportedly took part in what was likely the largest protest in Hong Kong’s history.
The demonstrators have five key demands
- The complete withdrawal of the proposed extradition bill
- The government to withdraw the use of the word “riot” in relation to protests
- The unconditional release of arrested protesters and charges against them dropped
- An independent inquiry into police behavior
- Police in Hong Kong have been accused of using excessive force against protesters by firing tear gas and rubber bullets at close range.
- Hong Kong residents have posted videos and photos of alleged police violence on Twitter with hashtags such as #AbolishHKPF and HKPoliceState.
- Implementation of genuine universal suffrage
Other developments
- On July 1 , protesters forced their way into the legislature.
- Demonstrations occur annually on July 1--the date Britain gave up control of Hong Kong in 1997.
- The annual demonstrations are organized by activists who want to preserve Hong Kong’s status. This year’s July 1 demonstrations were amplified by the extradition bill.
- Demonstrators in Hong Kong’s international airport began blocking travelers last week , forcing airlines to cancel and reschedule hundreds of flights.
- China has labeled the demonstrations as “near terrorism.”
- At least two men were set upon by protesters--accused of being undercover police--after authorities admitted they had deployed officers disguised as protesters.
- China’s armed police force was seen conducting exercises near the Hong Kong border Friday in what some have interpreted as a threat.
- It was confirmed Wednesday that an employee of the British consulate in Hong Kong has been detained in mainland China.
- Simon Cheng, 28, a Hong Kong citizen, was detained while crossing the border into Hong Kong from China.
- He is accused of violating China’s Security Administration Punishment Law. No specifics have been given about his alleged wrongdoing.