Hong Kong’s John Lee calls using protests as inclusivity gauge ‘narrow-minded’
City leader dismisses former minister’s suggestion that encouraging groups to protest can correct misconceptions about political diversity
Hong Kong’s leader has brushed aside a former minister’s suggestion that encouraging protests can help the city’s image abroad, calling the argument that demonstrations prove political inclusivity “narrow-minded”.
“Inclusion should not depend on protests and assemblies,” Lee said in a televised interview, without naming Cheung. “This is a very narrow-minded point of view. There are many ways to express an opinion, such as through seminars – there is no single avenue.
“We must remember that some of these events were hijacked in the past. The most important thing is to ensure that others are not affected.”
The law prompted several civic groups to disband, while many opposition leaders have been the subject of high-profile criminal trials.