Hong Kong’s embattled leader Carrie Lam today once again vowed to “listen more” to widespread public dissatisfaction, calling for unity while nonetheless refusing to engage in a substantive manner with the key demands repeatedly voiced by thousands upon thousands of citizens over the course of weeks of protests.
Lam and other top officials spoke to the press in the midst of a major transportation crisis, as protesters disrupted train service and blocked roads across the city, urging citizens to abandon their weeks-long protest movement, while offering no concrete solutions to the city’s political crisis.
“Hong Kong is one of the world’s safest city where we are free to express opinions and free to protests,” she began. “The escalating violence us pushing Hong Kong to a more dangerous situation.”
Lam pointed to today’s transportation snarls, as well as recent violent confrontations between citizens and police, calling out “violent radicals” while also vowing to continue cracking down.
“The government will be resolute in maintaining law and order in Hong Kong and restoring confidence,” she said.
“We saw recently, it is already clear that people are impertinently proposing to ‘reclaim Hong Kong, revolution of our times’… and challenge the country’s national sovereignty,” she said, referencing the now most commonly-heard chant used at demonstrations.
“I dare say it is trying to topple Hong Kong, completely destroy the cherished lives of more than seven million people.”
Lam also criticized recent acts of vandalism of emblems of the People’s Republic of China.
“Freedom is a core value of Hong Kong society, but destroying the national emblem and throwing the national flag into the sea is threatening the ‘one country, two systems’ framework, and destroys the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong,” she said.
Due to the escalating situation, the police force will begin holding daily press briefings, with the first scheduled for afternoon.
With many Hongkongers vowing to take part in a city-wide strike today, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung called for civil servants to remain in their posts and work together in the midst of the “difficult times.”
Financial Secretary Paul Chan pointed out the protests’ effects on the local economy amid other stresses, like the China-US trade war.
“We heard the people’s dissatisfaction with the government, and we will continue to listen and improve ourselves. We hope everyone will think twice before they do anything,” he said, warning that Hong Kong could be on the path of “no return”.
Lam, meanwhile, declined to address the protesters’ demands in meaningful fashion, saying some were outside of her control, before asking people to “join hands” and protect Hong Kong’s “safety, security, and prosperity.”
She also reiterated that she would not be resigning.
“I don’t think the resignation of myself or my colleagues will provide a better solution; we will listen more and engage more to meet the wishes of Hong Kong people.”
Lam’s remarks were met with derision, both from her pro-dem adversaries and from some within her own pro-Beijing camp.
Pro-dem convenor Claudia Mo accused Lam of “trying to twist what is going on here,” while pro-Beijing lawmaker Ann Chiang, who has been a vocal critic of the protesters, said she was “disappointed” with Lam’s stance.
“Carrie Lam raised a bunch of problems, but where is the solution?” she asked.
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Additional reporting by AFP.
