17 June

The organizers of Sunday's mass rally in Hong Kong say nearly two million residents -- a record-high number -- took part to protest against the proposed extradition bill.

The bill would allow extradition of the territory's residents to face trial in mainland China.

In response to Sunday's rally, Hong Kong's Chief Executive issued a statement later in the day apologizing to the territory's residents. In the statement, Carrie Lam admitted that the bill's deficiencies have led to substantial controversies and disputes, and caused disappointment and grief among the people.

The Hong Kong government decided the previous day to suspend the bill after many people were injured in a series of civic protests against it.But pro-democracy groups demanded the bill's withdrawal altogether and called on people to take part in a mass rally on Sunday.

Crowds of protesters packed major roads in central Hong Kong through Sunday night. The organizers say the number of participants was twice that at a rally last Sunday.And it was more than 25 percent of Hong Kong's total population of 7.5 million -- an all-time record.

NHK