Carrie Lam offers 'most sincere apology' to Hong Kong people

Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said she offers her "most sincere apology" to the people of Hong Kong over the handling of the fugitive bill at a press conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks during a press conference at the government headquarters in Hong Kong on June 18, 2019. [Photo: AFP]

Lam said she had heard the people "loud and clear" and personally apologized to the ordinary Hong Kong citizens whose lives have been affected by the protests over the past two Sundays.

"I personally have to shoulder much of the responsibility," Lam noted.

In response to the demand of the protesters, the SAR government immediately suspended the legislative exercise on June 15 by informing the Legislative Council that the bill would no longer proceed to second reading debate.

According to Lam, the SAR government currently does not have any timetable to revive the bill "if these fears and anxieties could not be adequately addressed." She made an indication that the bill will expire if it does not make the Legislative Council by July next year, and the government will accept that reality.

Lam also explained that the objective of the fugitive bill was to exemplify the rule of law in Hong Kong and enhance cooperation internationally with regards to mutual legal assistance.