Chief Executive Carrie Lam pressed by range of Hong Kong leaders to meet top demands of anti-government protesters, sources say
- Nineteen politicians and power brokers gather at Government House to brainstorm ways to end city’s protest crisis
- Sources say at least half of the guests urged Lam to respond to demands to withdraw extradition bill and launch public inquiry
Hong Kong’s leader has been pressed to meet some of the top demands of local protesters by a range of distinguished guests who attended a rare meeting at Government House.
Nineteen city power brokers and politicians gathered at the official residence of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Saturday to brainstorm about how to broker a dialogue with those behind Hong Kong’s crippling anti-government protest crisis.
The Post has learned that more than half of the guests Lam invited urged her to meet protesters’ demands to launch a public inquiry into the turmoil, including police conduct, and completely withdraw the reviled extradition bill.
Three sources with knowledge of the three-hour morning meeting said Lam made clear she had not given a definitive “no” to the suggestions, but she also hedged about timing, tone and tactics.
“The general mood was that the attendees felt the government needs to give a proper response to the key demands of protesters in order to bring closure to the situation,” a source said. “But [Lam] said it is not the time for an inquiry, saying the government has to wait until the situation becomes more peaceful.”