Security heightened in Hong Kong as more protests expected on July 1 handover anniversary

2019-07-01 10

Tension is mounting in Hong Kong as Monday marks the 22nd anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China on July 1st 1997, and a massive protest march is scheduled to take place.
For more on this and other news from around the world, let's turn to our Kim Mok-yeon
from Arirang News Center with more.
Mok-yeon, tell us why today's protest march is causing so much concern?

Well Conn-young, the July 1st anniversary always draws protests but this year it is expected to be larger than usual because of widespread opposition to the controversial extradition bill, a government proposal to allow suspects to be extradited to mainland China to face charges.
In opposition to the bill, protests have been continuing over the past weeks, with more than one million taking part.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam had already postponed debate on the extradition bill indefinitely, but protesters want the legislation formally withdrawn as well as the resignation of Lam.
Security has been heightened around the streets as the government is expected to hold an anniversary event with Lam in attendance.