Hong Kong lawmakers fight in parliament over extradition bill

Hong Kong’s legislative assembly descended into chaos on Saturday as lawmakers for and against amendments to the territory’s extradition law clashed over access to the chamber.

At least one lawmaker was taken from the chamber on a stretcher after apparently fainting during the morning melee, in which legislators pushed and shoved each other on the floor and in an adjoining hallway.

The amendments have been widely criticised as eroding the semi-autonomous Chinese territory’s judicial independence by making it easier to send criminal suspects to mainland China, where they could face vague national security charges and unfair trials.

But authorities say they need to make the change so they can extradite a murder suspect to Taiwan.

One pro-Beijing lawmaker called it "a sad day for Hong Kong".

Pro-democracy lawmaker James To originally led the session on the controversial extradition bill but earlier this week those supportive of the new law replaced him as chairman.

Tensions boiled over on Saturday, with politicians swearing and jumping over tables amid a crowd of reporters as they fought to control the microphone.

Under a policy known as "One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong has a separate legal system to mainland China.

Beijing regained control over the former British colony in 1997 on the condition it would allow the territory "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs" for 50 years.

But Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam earlier this year announced plans to change the law so suspects could be extradited to Taiwan, Macau or mainland China on a case-by-case basis.

The proposed change has generated huge criticism.

Tens of thousands of people marched against the extradition law amendments in Hong Kong last month and numerous legal, professional and human rights organisations have voiced their opposition. They say the amendments would undermine not just Hong Kong’s legal independence but also its attractiveness as a centre for international business.