Hong Kong chief executive election 2022: young protesters should be given opportunities to reintegrate into society, says candidate John Lee

John Lee says public, NGOs, charities and businesses should offer to help protesters once they complete jail sentences

He also denies press freedom is under threat and warns that some people who claim to be working for media have political agendas

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Hong Kong chief executive candidate John Lee visits West Kowloon Cultural District on Wednesday. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Published: 8:20pm, 4 May 2022Updated: 11:13am, 5 May 2022

Young protesters jailed over the 2019 social unrest should be given opportunities to help them reintegrate into society, Hong Kong’s sole chief executive candidate John Lee Ka-chiu has said, while also calling on residents to abide by the law and be tolerant of different views.

Lee, who is expected to win Sunday’s vote for the next chief executive, also insisted on Wednesday that Hong Kong enjoyed press freedom, even as foreign governments suggested that civil liberties in the city were under threat after the imposition of the national security law in 2020.

“There are attempts overseas by governments, for political purposes, to bad-mouth Hong Kong, particular when we have the implementation of the Hong Kong national security law in the same way they have in their country,” he said after a closed-door meeting with 80 young people at the West Kowloon Cultural District.

“There have [also] been people who try to give the impression that they are doing media work, but in fact, they are pursuing political or personal purposes, which in fact has polluted press freedom in Hong Kong.”

John Lee and Betty Fung, CEO of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, tour the arts hub. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

In a press freedom index released by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders on Tuesday, Hong Kong ranked 148th out of 180 locations, down more than 60 spots from last year and a record low for the city.