Hong Kong's leader on Wednesday bowed to a key demand of pro-democracy protesters following three months of unrest, announcing the withdrawal of a loathed extradition bill, but activists vowed to press on with their campaign.

Millions of people have taken to Hong Kong's streets since June in the biggest challenge to China's rule of semi-autonomous Hong Kong since its handover from the British in 1997.

After refusing for months to permanently withdraw the bill, which aimed to allow extradition of criminal suspects to mainland China, chief executive Carrie Lam finally conceded as she called for calm and an end to violent protests.

"The government will formally withdraw the bill in order to fully allay public concerns," she said.

Initial reports in the local media flagging Lam's announcement raised hopes that giving in to the extradition demand could help end the crisis. Hong Kong's stock market climbed nearly four percent in afternoon trade after the reports emerged.

But those hopes were quickly tempered, with pro-democracy activists voicing anger and determination to press on with their broader democracy campaign.

"Too little, too late," said Joshua Wong, a prominent activist who was arrested late last week as part of a police swoop on leading pro-democracy figures.

"We urge the world too to (be) alert (to) this tactic and not to be deceived by HK and Beijing Govt. They have conceded nothing in fact, and a full-scale clampdown is on the way."

The protests were sparked by opposition to Lam's extradition legislation, which was seen as another erosion of the liberties enjoyed in Hong Kong compared with authoritarian mainland China.

After millions of people took to the streets, Lam suspended the Beijing-backed bill and called it "dead" but refused to formally withdraw it, sparking fears it might be resurrected.

As clashes intensified the movement evolved into a broader campaign to include demands for an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality, an amnesty for those arrested and a retraction of classifying protesters as rioters.

Another demand was for Hong Kongers to be able to directly elect their leaders -- a major red line for Beijing.

- Protester anger -

Wednesday's video message from Lam was markedly more conciliatory in tone than her more recent statements.

"Let's replace conflicts with conversations and let's look for solutions," she said, announcing plans to appoint experts to advise "to independently examine and review society's deep-seated problems".

But she also repeated her reasons for dismissing the four other core demands, rejecting calls for an independent inquiry and saying neither an amnesty, retraction of the riot term or immediate universal suffrage was feasible.

Online message forums used by the largely leaderless democracy movement were filled with angry comments saying the bill's withdrawal would not end the protests.

"Five major demands, not one less. Liberate HK, revolution now," one widely shared message on the Telegram messaging app read.

"They've tried to shut the stable door but it's come too late," political analyst Dixon Sing told AFP, adding only an independent inquiry would start to mollify the "extremely high level of anger and injustice" among protesters and the wider public.

Felix Chung, a pro-Beijing lawmaker, said many in his camp favoured an inquiry, adding Lam's withdrawal concession was "a bit too late, but better than never".

- Mixed messages -

For much of the past three months Lam has struck a defiant tone, appearing either unwilling or unable to make any concessions.

Then an audio recording emerged this week of Lam telling business leaders her options were "limited" by Beijing, which viewed the protests as a national security and sovereignty issue.

In the audio recording, Lam said she wanted to quit and take responsibility for triggering the unrest with the extradition plans, but that she was hamstrung by Beijing.

"For a chief executive to have caused this huge havoc to Hong Kong is unforgivable," an emotional Lam said in the audio recording, which was obtained by the Reuters news agency.

"If I have a choice," she said, speaking in English, "the first thing is to quit, having made a deep apology."

But after the recording was released, Lam held a press conference on Tuesday to insist she had never contemplated resigning.

While Wednesday's video message appealed for calm, it also reminded protesters that challenging Beijing's authority was placing Hong Kong in a "vulnerable and dangerous" position.

"Our foremost priority now is to end violence, to safeguard the rule of law and to restore order and safety in society," she warned.

Hong Kong: a timeline of mounting protest
Hong Kong (AFP) Sept 4, 2019 - China's semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong has been rocked since April by protests that were sparked by a proposed extradition law, which its leader said on Wednesday will be withdrawn.

The increasingly violent protests have broadened into wider demands for democratic reform.

Here is a summary:

- Thousands on the streets -

On April 28 tens of thousands of people march peacefully against a Hong Kong government bill that would allow, for the first time, extradition to mainland China.

There are fears the law will tighten Beijing's grip on civil society.

- Violence erupts -

Despite government tweaks to soften the law, more than one million people, according to organisers, protest again on June 9.

The demonstration is the biggest since the 1997 handover of the former British colony to China.

It descends into violence when police try to disperse small groups of protesters who hurl bottles and use metal barricades.

On June 12, 79 people are injured in the worst clashes since the handover. One protestor dies falling from a roof.

- Two million protesters -

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam postpones the bill on June 15 but a fresh demonstration the next day calls for its full withdrawal.

Organisers say two million people take part.

On July 1, the anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, hundreds of protesters smash their way into parliament and ransack the building.

On July 9 Lam says the extradition bill "is dead".

- Authorities get tough -

On July 21 in the Yuen Long area, suspected triad gangsters attack protesters inside a metro station.

On July 27-28 there are clashes between police and pro-democracy protesters following banned demonstrations.

The local authorities and Beijing toughen their stance, and dozens are arrested.

On August 5 a city-wide strike causes chaos, disrupting public transport and air links.

For a third consecutive night, police confront protesters.

On August 6 China warns "those who play with fire will perish by it".

- Airport chaos -

Hong Kong's airport cancels flights on August 12 after being invaded by thousands of black-clad protesters.

On August 15 thousands of Chinese military personnel parade at a stadium in Shenzhen, a city across the border.

On the 18the, some 1.7 million people march peacefully through the streets, according to organisers.

US President Donald Trump warns China that carrying out a Tiananmen Square-style crackdown would harm ongoing talks on a trade accord.

The next day, Twitter and Facebook accuse China of using the social media platforms against the pro-democracy protests.

- Arrests -

On August 25 police raise the stakes, using water cannon and a warning shot.

On the 27th, after G7 leaders call for calm, Beijing accuses the group of "meddling".

On August 30, several prominent democracy activists are arrested. More than 1,000 people have been arrested since June.

On August 31 tens of thousands of people march through the streets in an unsanctioned rally. Hardcore demonstrators hurl petrol bombs and police fire tear gas and deploy water cannon, before making mass arrests inside metro stations.

- Extradition law shelved -

On September 4, Lam says the extradition bill will be withdrawn.

"Too little, too late," prominent activist Joshua Wong says.

Protesters are also demanding that Hong Kongers be able to directly elect their leaders and an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality.

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