The recent months of protests for democracy in Hong Kong were triggered by a bill that would allow Hong Kong citizens to be extradited to mainland China.
Previously, the proposal has been put to rest, but this has not been considered enough by the protest movement that daily demonstrates on the streets of Hong Kong. It reports the South China Morning Post.
"Haven't happened yet"Ulrika Bergsten, SVT's Asia correspondent, says that her sources say that the message so far is to be considered rumors. Nothing is clear, but a press conference will be held tonight in Hong Kong.
- It may very well happen that the proposal is withdrawn, but it has not happened yet. We'll see tonight, says Ulrika Bergsten.
She says, on the other hand, there is no sense of reconciliation as it seems now. Reuters reports today that two people were taken to hospitals after Hong Kong police made violent interventions last night. Kravall police must have fired non-lethal ammunition and pepper spray at the protesters. This has created even more anger in the protest movement.
China wants to calm down moodUlrika Bergsten believes that if the information, about the bill being withdrawn, is true, then this is an attempt by China to calm the mood.
- My feeling is that there is a willingness on the part of China to go to the protesters a bit. Everyone suffers from this, even financially, she says and continues:
- But I don't think that means the end of the protests.
The demand that the bill be withdrawn is just one of five demands that the protesters make on the board in Hong Kong. They also demand the departure of Carrie Lamb and have several more general demands for increased democracy.