Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam has said she will formally withdraw a controversial extradition bill which sparked months of protests in the territory.
The proposed law would have meant fugitives could be extradited to mainland China.
In June, opposition to the bill sparked the beginning of major pro-democracy demonstrations.
The legislation has since been indefinitely suspended, but demonstrators have continued calling for its complete withdrawal.
Carrie Lam formally announced the bill's withdrawal this afternoon local time.
Ms Lam also pledged to reach out to the community "to start a direct dialogue".
She said: "People from all walks of life, with different stances and backgrounds, are invited to share their views and air their grievances - we must find ways to address the discontent in society and to look for solutions."
The withdrawal of the extradition bill achieves one of protesters' five key demands.
Among the other demands, activists are calling for elections as well as an independent investigation into the police handling of the demonstrations.
In a statement, prominent activist Joshua Wong - the secretary-general of the youth group Demosisto - said Ms Lam's move was "too little too late".
He argued: "We urge the world too to alert this tactic and not to be deceived by Hong Kong and Beijing government. They have conceded nothing in fact, and a full-scale clampdown is on the way."
5. In short, Carrie Lam's repeated failure in understanding the situation has made this announcement completely out of touch - She needs to address to ALL Five Demands: STOP PROSECUTION, STOP CALLING US RIOTERS, INDEPENDENT INQUIRY OF POLICE and FREE ELECTION!
— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 (@joshuawongcf) September 4, 2019
This weekend saw the 13th straight week of protests, with Saturday seeing some of the most violent clashes between police and protesters since the demonstrations began three months ago.
Earlier this week teenagers due to return to school boycotted the first day of the new term in support of the pro-democracy movement.
