Hong Kong protests: MTR chairman Rex Auyeung denies bowing to pressure from Beijing and says challenges he faces are ‘unprecedented’
- Beleaguered rail operator has found itself the target of violent action by protesters, suffering vandalism to its stations and disruption to its network
- But rail chief insists MTR Corp is a commercial entity that does not act politically and only follows its mission to provide public transport to the city
The new chairman of Hong Kong’s embattled MTR Corporation has sought to quash accusations the rail giant kowtowed to Beijing by taking a harder line with anti-government protesters and admitted the challenges he faces are “unprecedented”.
Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen, 67, who stepped into the hot seat on July 1– the same day protesters stormed and vandalised the city’s legislature – said he would stay true to his mission of leading the MTR Corp and would avoid all political considerations.
“I am not interested in politics at all,” he said during an interview with the Post on Thursday.
“I have never given much thought to the political perspectives of others. I only seek to hold fast to our mission of providing transport for the Hong Kong public.
“I will not take action just because of comments made by certain media outlets or parties. That is not principled.”