홍콩 행정장관 "송환법 강행"… 갈등 '장기화•국제화' 양상<br /><br />Crowds of protestors around Hong Kong's government headquarters have largely dispersed following the delay of a debate on a controversial extradition bill that, if passed, would allow suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial.<br />Our Choi Si-young has the latest.<br />A small number of defiant demonstrators continued to protest the controversial extradition bill,... a day after the worst violence the city has seen in decades.<br />Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Wednesday called the protests "organized riots" and vowed to go ahead with the controversial extradition bill, dismissing calls for her to step down.<br />"I will not shy away from my responsibility in introducing a piece of legislation - though we are very convinced of the justifications - that's causing this public outcry and all this divisiveness in society."<br />The BBC reported clashes between the protesters and police left at least seventy-two people injured, with two in critical condition. The police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters mostly young people and students who surrounded the semi-autonomous region's legislature to protest the bill which they believe will undermine the independence of Hong Kong's legal system and put its citizens and foreign nationals at risk.<br />The rallies were the largest Hong Kong has seen since it was handed back to China by the British in 1997.<br />Earlier in the week, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement calling the bill "dangerous legislation" and said it "imperils the decades long, strong U.S.-Hong Kong relationship."<br />The Chinese foreign ministry hit back at what it calls her "erroneous remarks" and called on Washington to stop interfering in Beijing' affairs.<br />Despite the delay, the bill is likely to pass the local legislature where pro-Beijing lawmakers hold 43 of the 70 seats.<br />Choi Si-young, Arirang News. <br />
