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Hong Kong protests
Hong KongPolitics

On anniversary of protest movement, Carrie Lam says Hong Kong ‘cannot bear chaos’, needs stability to resume normal life

  • Amid pandemic difficulties, residents share ‘common wish’ for a peaceful environment, chief executive says
  • Lam also agrees with Beijing official’s Monday comment that city must prove itself worthy of continuing ‘one country, two systems’ beyond 2047

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Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Tuesday said Hongkongers primarily sought a stable and peaceful environment after last year’s months of protests. Photo: Winson Wong
Tony Cheung
A year after the first protest against the extradition bill kicked off months of anti-government unrest, Hong Kong’s embattled leader has said she hopes residents realise the city cannot allow chaos to continue, adding that they should want a stable and peaceful environment in which to live and work, particularly amid the global recession.
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Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s comments on Tuesday came shortly before hundreds of protesters turned up in malls across Hong Kong, chanting defiant slogans and waving banners as they marked the protest movement’s first anniversary.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam addresses reporters before a weekly meeting of her Executive Council on Tuesday. Photo: Robert Ng
Chief Executive Carrie Lam addresses reporters before a weekly meeting of her Executive Council on Tuesday. Photo: Robert Ng

“Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times”, protesters shouted at lunchtime rallies taking place across at least four major shopping malls.

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Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says everyone must ‘learn a lesson’ from city’s year of protests

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says everyone must ‘learn a lesson’ from city’s year of protests

In the evening, hundreds took to the streets of Central, with many waving their mobile phones with the flashlight on to symbolise hope. Police warned protesters they were taking part in an unauthorised assembly and used pepper spray to disperse them from the streets. Most had left before 9pm.

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