Hong Kong leader offers ‘sincere apology’ to people

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - Hong Kong’s chief executive on Tuesday conceded that her government’s response to protests against the amendment was not appropriate.

“I reflected deeply over the issue and I have to show much responsibility […] I offer my most sincere apology,” pro-Beijing Carrie Lam said at a news conference, aired by TRT World.

Lam, who leads a legislative council of 70 members, said that she needs to do more “to connect to the people”, especially youth.

“I understand and realize that I need to do more to connect people [although] I never spared any effort to serve the public,” she said.

Her government reacted with a heavy hand to public protests which erupted against a proposed amendment to a law that would allow the transfer of prisoners from Hong Kong to mainland China.

However, she said that planned amendment to the extradition bill will not be dropped.

Lam said that she was saddened by learning that several journalists and protests were injured in the conflicts. “I hope that they recover soon.”

Hong Kong is an autonomous region under China which technically takes care of foreign and defense policies since 1997.

According to the organizers, the proposed law drew “two million people” out on streets of Hong Kong saying it will harm freedom, as people “will be easily arrested and sent to China for prosecution”.

“Hong Kong is our home… it is only by walking together, staying closely together that we bring hope [to our home],” Lam said.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency from Hong Kong, Progressive Lawyers Group leader Angeline Chan said Lam has not acted on the popular five demands that came up during the protests.

“There is more anger now as none of the five demands have been acted upon,” Chan said.

She said that people are demanding Lam government to drop the amendments to the Hong Kong extradition ordinance, not to press charges against protesters, to withdraw her description of protests as riots, to investigate use of excessive force by Hong Kong police and that Lam herself steps down.