Hong Kong suspends proposed extradition bill following mass protests and violence

Hong Kong has said it will halt work on a proposed extradition bill following mass protests and violence.

Chief executive Carrie Lam said she had taken the decision in response to widespread public unhappiness over the measure, which would enable authorities to send some suspects to stand trial in mainland China.

Announcing the move at a press conference, she said debate and work on the bill would be suspended indefinitely and that the next steps would be decided after consultations with various parties.

Many in the former British colony worried that the move would further erode cherished legal protections and freedoms promised by Beijing when it took control in 1997.

It had sparked growing outrage in the business, diplomatic and legal communities.

Another mass protest over the issue had been planned for Sunday.

Ms Lam told a news conference: "After repeated internal deliberations over the last two days, I now announce that the government has decided to suspend the legislative amendment exercise, restart our communication with all sectors of society, do more explanation work and listen to different views of society."

She said there was no deadline, effectively suspending the process indefinitely.

The United States Consulate in Hong Kong welcomed a decision on Saturday.

The significant climbdown came after more than a million of Hong Kong residents took to the streets in demonstrations earlier this week.

Protests turned violent on Wednesday, as campaigners were met with tear gas and rubber bullets from the police, plunging the city into turmoil.

About 80 people were injured in the clashes, including 22 police officers.

The standoff was Hong Kong's most severe political crisis since the Communist Party-ruled mainland took control with a promise not to interfere with the city's civil liberties and courts.

The violence added to pressure on Ms Lam to back down, amid calls from both outside and within her government.

Adding to tensions, the extradition bill drew criticism from U.S. and British lawmakers and human rights groups, prompting Beijing to lash back with warnings against "interference" in its internal affairs.