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The Hong Kong government has suspended its controversial plan to allow extradition to mainland China, said managing director Carrie Lam.
Previously, she had refused to remove the bill despite mbadive protests from Hong Kong residents.
"I am deeply saddened and regret that shortcomings in our work – and various other factors – have generated significant controversy," she said.
Protesters have expressed concern over China's growing influence.
Ms. Lam said that she had heard calls for her government to "think and think."
She also admitted that the "explanation and communication" of the bill had not been adequate.
She said her goal was "Hong Kong's greatest interests," which meant restoring peace and order first.
The government had argued that the proposed extradition bill would "fill the gaps" so that the city would not be a haven for criminals, following a murder case in Taiwan.
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Ms. Lam stated that the urgency of getting the bill through before the end of the legislative year "may not be there anymore".
No date has been set for "the next step", she said.
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Reuters
Hundreds of thousands protested against these projects
Hundreds of thousands of people protested against the bill and other demonstrations were scheduled for Sunday.
Critics have said the legislation would expose Hong Kong residents to China's deeply failing justice system and lead to further erosion of the city's judicial independence.
The organizers said that despite Lam's announcement, they would continue to protest until the bill was rescinded and not delayed.
& # 39; Make a U-turn & # 39;
Analysis of Helier Cheung, BBC News, Hong Kong
It was a striking U-turn of a leader who had previously given a provocative tone.
Just a few days ago, Ms. Lam was committed to advancing unpopular legislation. She has now promised "to listen to different points of view of society".
But for many protesters, the damage is already done and it is unlikely that the bill will delay – but not cancel – the law to ease their concerns.
A protester told me that he thought the government "was trying to deflect public attention until the opposition calmed down – and then they will try to redo it. the whole process ".
Others said they would still participate in a protest against the planned proposal on Sunday.
"Our ultimate goal is to cancel the law, not suspend it, I think there will always be a lot of people out tomorrow," a student leader told me.
Hong Kong is a former British colony, but returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" agreement guaranteeing it a level of autonomy.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has publicly supported Ms. Lam after her announcement.
- Profile: Carrie Lam, Executive Director of Hong Kong
"The Chinese central government expresses its support, respect and understanding towards the [Hong Kong] government decision, "spokesman Geng Shuang said in a statement.
In the midst of the international debate over Hong Kong, he also warned that "his affairs are purely China's internal affairs that should not be hindered by any interference from any country, organization or individual".
On the other hand, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt commended the Hong Kong government for "taking into account the concerns of brave citizens" who opposed the changes.
Congratulations to the Hong Kong government for taking into account the concerns of brave citizens who have defended their fundamental rights. The defense of the rights and freedoms set out in the Sino-British Joint Declaration is the best future for HK and Britain supports this legally binding agreement.
– Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) June 15, 2019
End of @Jeremy_Hunt's Twitter post
What was the controversy?
The amendments would allow authorities in Mainland China, Taiwan and Macau to file criminal extradition requests – decided on a case-by-case basis by the Hong Kong courts.
Hong Kong officials, including Ms. Lam, said the bill was needed to protect the city from criminals.
But many fear that the law will be used to target political opponents in the Chinese state.
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Opposition activists also cite the alleged use of torture, arbitrary detentions and forced confessions in Mainland China.
This case follows a high profile case in which a Hong Kong man was accused of murdering his girlfriend on vacation in Taiwan but could not be extradited.
Yet, Taiwanese officials are opposed to the changes – because of their own concerns about the impact they might have.
Taiwan is actually independent, but China considers it a separatist province.
The government even stated that it would not accept the extradition of the accused if the proposed new regulations provided for it.
"I am deeply upset by the attack on freedom and human rights in Hong Kong," tweeted Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.
"The general director, Carrie Lam, must listen to the people and badume all their responsibilities Blaming Taiwan is immoral, shameful and unacceptable, embrace democracy and stand on the right side of history!"
How were the demonstrations?
A great walk that, according to the organizers, has attracted more than a million people, was held last Sunday.
On Wednesday, tens of thousands of people rallied to block the streets around the government headquarters in an attempt to prevent the second reading, or debate, of the extradition bill.
Tensions escalated and 22 police and 60 protesters were injured. Authorities say 11 people were arrested.
Police, using tear gas and rubber bullets, have been accused of excessive force by some rights groups.
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Until the announcement on Saturday, Ms. Lam had not spoken publicly since she had described the protests as "riots organized" during a speech. heartbreaking.
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Is Hong Kong part of China?
Hong Kong was a British colony from 1841, when China ceded the island to the British after the first opium war – which had broken out after British traders had introduced opium into contraband in China. It remained a colony until sovereignty was restored to China in 1997.
It is now part of China under the principle of "one country, two systems" guaranteeing the maintenance of its judicial independence, its parliament and its economic system.
This is what China calls a special administrative region, with great autonomy, which has made it a key business and media hub in the region.
But it remains subject to pressure from mainland China and Beijing remains responsible for defense and foreign affairs.
Why are people angry at the plan?
Hong Kong residents fear that the extradition bill will place Hong Kong more decisively under China's control.
Hong Kong officials had stated that it would be its courts that would have the final say whether or not to accept extradition requests.
Ms. Lam's government also said that suspects accused of political and religious crimes would not be extradited, insisting that legally binding human rights guarantees would also be in place.
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