Is Hong Kong Part of China? The Recent Protests Explained – The New York Times

Who opposes the plan?

The plan has sparked petitions from people across Hong Kong who fear they could end up in a mainland legal system where the Communist Party routinely prosecutes dissidents and others for political reasons.

Hong Kong is connected to the Chinese mainland by a land border, high-speed rail and a long sea bridge. Residents on both sides cross the border regularly, although mainlanders must apply for permission to enter Hong Kong.

An April demonstration against the plan was the city’s biggest in five years, and anger over it led to scuffles in Hong Kong’s legislature last month.

Sunday’s protest, which stretched for more than a mile through canyons of downtown skyscrapers, may have been the largest here since 2003, when half a million marchers demonstrated against a Beijing-backed package of national security laws prohibiting sedition, subversion and treason against the Chinese government.

What happens next?

Another round of protests has been called for Wednesday, as Hong Kong’s legislature resumes consideration of the bill. A vote on the measure is expected on June 27.

In 2003, the Hong Kong government shelved its proposed national security legislation, known as Article 23, after demonstrators said it threatened civil liberties enshrined in the Basic Law. Opposition to the extradition bill is even higher, according to a recent poll by the University of Hong Kong.

Because pro-Beijing lawmakers hold 43 of 70 seats in the Hong Kong legislature, the bill is likely to pass unless the government backs down. Ms. Lam said on Monday that she would not.