The Latest: China supports Hong Kong extradition bill

Protesters rallying against the proposed amendments to extradition law at the Legislative Council, react with police officers in Hong Kong during the early hours of Monday, June 10, 2019. The extradition law has aroused concerns that this legislation would undermine the city's independent judicial system as it allows Hong Kong to hand over fugitives to the jurisdictions that the city doesn't currently have an extradition agreement with, including mainland China, where a fair trial might not be guaranteed. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

A protester sits near barriers after police officers clash against protesters in a rally against the proposed amendments to the extradition law at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong during the early hours of Monday, June 10, 2019. The extradition law has aroused concerns that this legislation would undermine the city's independent judicial system as it allows Hong Kong to hand over fugitives to the jurisdictions that the city doesn't currently have an extradition agreement with, including mainland China, where a fair trial might not be guaranteed. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

HONG KONG – The Latest on a protest in Hong Kong against amendments to its extradition laws (all times local):

5:30 p.m.

China says it supports an extradition bill that has sparked massive protests in Hong Kong.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Monday that China firmly backs the proposed amendments and opposes "the wrong words and deeds of any external forces" that interfere in Hong Kong's affairs.

The legislation would allow suspects in Hong Kong to be extradited to mainland China to face charges.

Opponents say the bill would make Hong Kong residents vulnerable to murky charges and unfair trials in mainland China, while also eroding Hong Kong's judicial independence.

Hundreds of thousands of people marched through central Hong Kong on Sunday in what may have been the territory's largest protest in recent memory.

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Noon

Hong Kong's leader has signaled that her government will go ahead with proposed amendments to its extradition laws after a massive protest against them.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam told the media Monday that the legislation is important and will help Hong Kong uphold justice and fulfill its international obligations.

She said safeguards will be added to the legislation to ensure human rights are protected.

Hundreds of thousands of people marched through central Hong Kong on Sunday in what may have been the territory's largest protest in recent memory.

The amendments would allow Hong Kong to extradite people to mainland China to face charges. Opponents say defendants in the Chinese judicial system won't have the same rights as in Hong Kong.