More protests expected in Hong Kong on Friday as leader Carrie Lam under pressure

Protesters take to the streets today to demand that Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam fully withdraw the proposed extradition bill, which would allow criminals to be sent to trial in mainland China.

Protests erupted on March 31 in opposition to the controversial bill. Millions have since participated in the demonstrations. Hong Kong has been a Special Administrative Region of China since 1997 and has been governed under the ‘one country, two systems’, ensuring a degree of independence from the mainland. Protesters insist that the proposed extradition law would open Hong Kong up to the laws of mainland China and infringe upon their democratic rights.

On June 18, Ms Lam announced that the controversial bill would not be reintroduced while she is in office. Despite calls for her to step down, Lam also committed to finishing her tenure in office—which ends in 2022 — but did not address alleged police brutality against protesters and the release of arrested activists. This is something protesters will not accept, most of whom feel cornered by the government.

Beijing will struggle to count on the total control of government, military and media in Hong Kong, despite counting on the acquiescence of their some of their political class.