Hong Kong’s embattled leader has apologised to the public with “utmost sincerity and humility” after massive protests demanding she step down over her administration’s handling of a bill that would have allowed extraditions to China.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam “admitted that shortcomings in the government’s work has led to a lot of conflict and disputes in Hong Kong society and has disappointed and distressed many citizens.
The rare apology came after hundreds of thousands of black-clad protesters took to the streets for the second time in a week to protest against the controversial bill.
The protesters formed a sea of black along roads, walkways and train stations across Hong Kong’s financial centre, with some carrying white carnation flowers, an appeal to police who fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters on Wednesday, wounding more than 70 people.
Protest organisers said nearly two million people took part in Sunday’s march, twice the number of people who took to the streets last week.
