Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has announced the withdrawal of an extradition bill that sparked months of protests.
The bill, which would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party, triggered months of unrest and posed the gravest challenge to Chinese leader
Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012.
Lam had suspended the bill, but
protesters demanded it be fully withdrawn. They have also called for democratic reforms to Hong Kong’s government and an independent inquiry into
police actions against protesters.
The Hong Kong stock market soared 4%, boosted by the possible bill withdrawal. Related... Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam Responds To Leaked Recording Students Boycott Classes In Hong Kong Protests Hundreds Of Pro-Democracy Protesters Gather At Hong Kong Airport Three Hong Kong Activists Arrested In Protest Crackdown
China Blasts Senior Tory's 'Colonial' Response To Hong Kong Protests This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Follow HuffPost
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