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Dialogue with Hong Kong government over extradition bill ‘not realistic’, Joshua Wong and fellow student leader say
- Demosisto secretary general says he or other political groups cannot expect to represent all those who marched on June 16
- Leader of largest pro-establishment party had called on protesters to meet government and for bill to be withdrawn
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Student leaders have dismissed calls for talks with Hong Kong officials over the extradition bill crisis, saying protesters instead wanted their demands, including bill’s withdrawal, to be met.
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Joshua Wong Chi-fung, secretary general of pro-democracy party Demosisto, told a radio programme on Monday it would be regressive to start talks with the government regarding the bill, in light of recent protests.
“I do not think that I, or any political figure or group, can represent 2 million protesters,” he said.
Wong was referring to the record-breaking number of protesters who took to the streets on June 16 against the bill, four days after police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and beanbag rounds into crowds surrounding the legislature.
The march went ahead despite Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor earlier suspending the divisive proposal, which, if passed, would allow the transfer of fugitives to jurisdictions with which the city has no extradition deal.
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