Protest success will embolden Hongkongers

Subject

Mass protests in Hong Kong.

Significance

Chief Executive Carrie Lam has agreed to shelve a bill to allow extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China, after a wave of huge street protests. The bill’s opponents argued that it would erode Hong Kong’s judicial independence and could be used to prosecute critics of the Beijing government.

Impacts

• China will sometimes handle political enemies in Hong Kong through extra-judicial detentions.
• Lam will be a much-damaged leader and lawmakers of both political camps will feel emboldened to challenge her initiatives.
• Lam is unlikely to resign unless Beijing weighs in, which would happen behind closed doors.