Japan said on Thursday it hoped the tense situation in Hong Kong will stabilize after the local government withdrew an unpopular extradition bill that has spurred months of protests in the semiautonomous Chinese territory.
"We strongly hope that (the development in Hong Kong) will be settled through peaceful talks between the relevant parties, and that stability in Hong Kong will be maintained," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.
Suga made the remark a day after Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced her government will officially withdraw the controversial bill following months of demonstrations, citing the need to "fully allay public concerns."
The bill has drawn anger from many Hong Kong citizens as it would allow fugitive transfers to mainland China, and other jurisdictions with which Hong Kong does not have extradition agreements.
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