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Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam warns against businesses going on strike over bill to allow extraditions to mainland China
- City leader has already refused to budge on proposal, despite march which organisers said drew over 1 million people
- More than 100 restaurants, stores and businesses vowed to close for a day to let workers join a demonstration planned outside the legislature on Wednesday
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Hong Kong’s leader has urged schools, businesses and unions to think twice before going on strike in protest against her extradition bill, saying it would put the future of young people on the line.
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Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor made the appeal a day after more than 100 restaurants, stores and businesses vowed to shut up shop for a day to allow workers to join the demonstration planned outside the legislature on Wednesday, when the unpopular bill resumes its second reading.
Student leaders at various universities on Tuesday were set to announce their plan for a school boycott, after Sunday’s historic march, which organisers said drew over 1 million people.
Lam has refused to budge on the plan which, if passed, would allow the transfer of fugitives to jurisdictions which the city lacks an extradition deal with, including mainland China. Critics have said it would leave Hongkongers at risk of unfair prosecution on the mainland, where they say fair trials are not guaranteed.
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The chief executive called on all sides to think carefully before a strike.
“I hope schools, parents, organisations, businesses and unions consider things thoroughly before advocating any radical actions,” she said. “What good would it do to Hong Kong society ... and our young people?”
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