Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor gave her first press conference in two weeks after a weekend of violence and chaos. Here are some brief excerpts of what she said: OPENING REMARKS “Hong Kong has been the safest city in the world. But this series of extremely violent acts is pushing Hong Kong to a very dangerous situation, some extreme activists have altered the nature of these protests.” “They removed the national flag, threw it into the sea, and called for a revolution to liberate Hong Kong. These actions challenged national sovereignty, threatened ‘one country, two systems’, and would destroy the city’s prosperity and stability.” “Do we have to gamble with the stable lives of 7 million people and the city’s future? Our society is becoming unsafe and unstable. This approach, which some people said was to bring collateral damage, would push Hong Kong onto a path of no return.” “People should respect others’ right to go to work. Blocking roads, stopping people from going to work could cause people to lose their jobs, and many grass roots families would be affected.” Q: Will you, or any member of your cabinet, take responsibility for the social unrest and step down? Lam: “When 7 million people are facing huge challenges, this is no longer about my personal honour. My colleagues and I have the responsibility to stand fast in our positions.” Q: Apart from condemning protesters, what have you done to resolve this crisis? Lam: “I have not stopped meeting different sectors. You might ask why I did not meet the media [in the past two weeks, but] the fact is some radical internet users would storm any even, they know I would be attending, be it open or closed door. “Organisers would not even want me to go now, as they would have to pay a huge sum for insurance. This is Hong Kong today, where people resort to threats and bullying to achieve their goals.” Q: People wanted you to completely withdraw the bill and set up a commission of inquiry. What is stopping you from taking those actions? Lam: “The Independent Police Complaints Council will review the whole saga. Some people may not agree with our response, but we have considered every factor involved and come up with the response that we have made. And this is a very strongly worded response as far as the bill is dead.”