Pressure on Carrie Lam to end unrest after talks with Beijing leaders
- The central government may have quashed rumours that Hong Kong’s leader will be replaced soon, but it wants order restored and social problems tackled
The need for Hong Kong to restore order and stability expeditiously was made plain when state leaders met the chief executive over the past two days.
By giving Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor its support, the central government has effectively quashed rumours that the embattled city chief will be replaced soon.
But the endorsement also comes with high expectations, and it is imperative for Lam to come up with more effective strategies to end the social unrest.
While the city is still left to resolve the ongoing protests on its own under the framework of “one country, two systems”, the central government apparently has seen the need for state leaders to weigh in as the crisis enters its fifth month.
Instead of waiting until Lam’s duty visit to the capital next month, an ad hoc meeting was arranged between President Xi Jinping and Lam after a banquet at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai on Monday.