Hong Kong extradition bill

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam announced Monday that she will step down in June, ending a divisive term that saw democracy protests squashed and strict pandemic curbs plunge the business hub into international isolation.

Ending months of speculation, Lam confirmed she would not seek a second term when a committee made up of the city's political elite chooses a new leader next month.

Hong Kong police fought off protesters with tear gas and batons on Nov. 18 as they tried to break through a police cordon that is trapping hundreds of them on a university campus.

A student at a Hong Kong university who fell during protests over the weekend died on Nov. 8, the first student death in months of anti-government demonstrations in the Chinese-ruled city that is likely to be a trigger for fresh unrest.

Hong Kong authorities have formally withdrawn the controversial bill that allowed the extradition of citizens to mainland China, fulfilling one of five demands of pro-democracy protesters, BTA reported.

Hong Kong authorities on Oct. 23 withdrew an unpopular extradition bill that sparked months of chaotic protests that have since morphed into a campaign for greater democratic change.

Hong Kong's under-fire leader Carrie Lam on Oct. 8 said China intervening to end months of pro-democracy protests is an option following a particularly violent week of unrest that paralysed the city.

Thousands of protesters regrouped after police fired tear gas at them on Sept. 29 and marched along a thoroughfare in downtown Hong Kong in a second straight day of defiance, sparking fears of more violence ahead of China's National Day.

Hundreds of high school students formed human chains on the streets of Hong Kong today in support of the anti-government protests following a week of clashes in the Chinese-ruled metropolis, Reuters reported.

The metro stations, which were closed yesterday during violent clashes between protesters and police, have reopened today.

The protesters in Hong Kong succeeded. The leader of an autonomous Chinese city has announced that the controversial extradition law will be withdrawn.

Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters threw morning rush hour train travel into chaos on Sept. 1, kicking off another day of potential turmoil after a weekend featuring some of the worst violence in three months of anti-government protests.