Executive Council members join Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam in apologies over suspended extradition bill

Fanny Law and Ip Kwok-him said they underestimated the strength of feeling against the legislation among city residents, after huge marches and violent clashes

Carrie Lam already offered her ‘most sincere and solemn apology’ for her handling of the crisis

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Fanny Law (right) and Ip Kwok-him (left) spoke on a radio programme on Wednesday. Photo: May Tse

Published: 10:54am, 19 Jun 2019Updated: 6:02pm, 19 Jun 2019

Two advisers to Hong Kong’s leader apologised to the public on Wednesday for underestimating the backlash triggered by the now-suspended extradition bill.

The show of remorse from Executive Council members Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun and Ip Kwok-him came a day after Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor offered her “most sincere and solemn apology” to Hongkongers for mishandling the unpopular bill, which sparked two massive marches and a round of violent clashes in just a week.

US President Donald Trump also weighed in on Monday, calling the Hong Kong protesters “very effective” but stopping short of voicing support for their demands.

“They’re obviously having a big impact because it’s been pulled back and it’ll be pulled back further,” he told Time magazine.

Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang responded on Wednesday that while he was not aware of the interview, Trump had said what happened in Hong Kong was China’s affair.

“He believes the Chinese central government and the Hong Kong government can sort it out themselves. I think this is the right attitude,” Lu said.