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Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing’s appeal for leniency for protesters gets cool reception from Chinese media
- If billionaire wants to help young people he should build more low-cost housing in the city, official says
- Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said earlier that city’s government ‘will not endorse or condone any act that goes against the rule of law’
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China’s official media has cold-shouldered a call by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing for leniency for protesters amid the ongoing unrest in the city, saying the “rule of law” must be respected.
Speaking about the protests to a group of visitors at the Tsz Shan Monastery in the Tai Po area of the city on Sunday, the 91-year-old billionaire said he hoped people in authority might show humanity to the young people so as to give them “a way out”.
While China’s official media played down Li’s request, some news outlets, including China.com, which is run by the State Council Information Office, covered the story only to later delete their reports.
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Chinese news outlets did, however, report the comments made by Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Tuesday when she rejected Li’s appeal, saying that all crimes had to dealt with in accordance with the law.
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“The rule of law is an important core value of Hong Kong. The government will not endorse or condone any act that goes against the rule of law,” Xinhua quoted her as saying.
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