Profile of Carrie Lam: whom China plans to replace with 'interim' chief executive - report

Record ID: 1438317

  • Title: Profile of Carrie Lam: whom China plans to replace with 'interim' chief executive - report
  • Date: 23rd October 2019
  • Summary: ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** HONG KONG FLAG LAM SPEAKING AT THE EVENT Hong Kong democracy protesters defied volleys of tear gas and police baton charges in September 2014 to stand firm in the centre of the global financial hub, one of the biggest political challenges for China since the Tiananmen Square crackdown 25 years ago. The Communist government in Beijing made clear it would not tolerate dissent, and warned against any foreign interference as thousands of protesters massed for a fourth night in the free-wheeling, capitalist city of more than seven million people. Lam reiterated the government's promise of universal suffrage. HONG KONG, CHINA (FILE - SEPTEMBER 29, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CROWD OF PROTESTERS STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG'S CHIEF SECRETARY, CARRIE LAM, SAYING: "But I have to stress that it remains our most important objective to achieve universal suffrage in the selection of the chief executive in 2017. And we will work according to that objective."
  • Embargoed: 6th November 2019 08:34
  • Keywords: Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam profile extradition law Carrie Lam Lam Hong Kong leader
  • Location: HONG KONG, BEIJING, CHINA/ TOKYO, JAPAN
  • City: HONG KONG, BEIJING, CHINA/ TOKYO, JAPAN
  • Country: Hong Kong
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA004B2CFZ9J
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: China is drawing up a plan to replace Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam with an "interim" chief executive, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday (October 22), citing people briefed on the deliberations, which would bring to a close Lam's rule after months of often-violent pro-democracy protests.
    Lam became a lightning rod for protests over fears that Beijing was tightening its grip, limiting the freedoms enjoyed under the "one country, two systems" principle enshrined when colonial ruler Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997.
    If Chinese President Xi Jinping decides to go ahead, Lam's successor would be appointed by March and cover the remainder of her term, which ends in 2022, the newspaper said.
    The leading candidates to succeed Lam include Norman Chan, the former head of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, and Henry Tang, who has also served as the territory's financial secretary and chief secretary for administration, the report said.
    In September, in response to a Reuters report about a recording of Lam saying she would step down if she could, she said she had never asked the Chinese government to let her resign to end the Chinese-ruled city's political crisis.
    (Production: Joseph Campbell)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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