Updated Oct 16, 2019

Hong Kong leader suspends key speech being jeered by lawmakers

Rebecca Falconer

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam (2nd L) is heckled as she leaves the chamber for a second time Wednesday. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam aborted her annual policy address after being heckled Wednesday by opposition lawmakers in the Chinese territory's legislature.

Why it matters: Lam had planned to formally withdraw the controversial extradition bill that triggered months of massive protests that have crippled the Asian financial hub. Per the BBC, the legislative suspension after Lam was twice interrupted by the opposition lawmakers means the bill could not be formally withdrawn.

The big picture: After the legislature was adjourned for the second time, the address was delivered via a pre-recorded video.

  • In the address, Lam announced measures to tackle the housing shortage, which Reuters notes is "believed to have fueled" the protests.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with more details on Lam's speech and more context.

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Why it matters: More than 60 people were wounded, according to Lam, and tear gas filled the air in the Central business district in the middle of the work day. Chris Johnson, a former top CIA China analyst now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Michael Morell on the Intelligence Matters podcast that protest leaders realize violence by more "hardcore" elements risks sapping western support.

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Why it matters: Though Hong Kong Secretary for Security John Lee said the government was suspending the bill because of civil unrest, it is unclear if the withdrawal will appease demonstrators, who have been protesting for five months.

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Murder suspect Chan Tong-kai, whose case prompted Hong Kong's government to introduce a bill that would've exposed Hong Kongers to extradition to mainland China, was released from prison Wednesday, the BBC reports. He was released as officials were preparing to formally withdraw the controversial bill, per AP.

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