Published 20:59 IST, September 17th 2019
Hong Kong: Carrie Lam open for dialogue with public to ease tensions
Carrie Lam, the Hong Kong leader reportedly said that her team would begin dialogue sessions with the community next week, wants to end the increasing violence.
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Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam reportedly said that her team would begin dialogue sessions with the community next week on September 17. She also laid emphasis, yet again on the issue of increasing violence in the country which must come to an end. The leader is being pressurized by Beijing to eradicate the anger that is stirring the protests. In response to which Lam also said that the dialogue sessions would be as open as possible and the public members will be able to sign up to attend it.
Deep-rooted issues
Carrie Lam also said that society have accumulated many deep-rooted issues that are economic, social and political in nature. These are issues that the Hong Kong leader is hoping to resolve from several dialogues which should act as a platform to discuss them peacefully. Since Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities with a population of 7.4 million, the matter of housing and land shortages is also being faced by the public. Young people, especially, are being frustrated with the rising cost for a place to exist. Carrie Lam has evidently made it clear that this dialogue does not mean that the government doesn't have to take resolute enforcement actions because suppressing the violence is still their priority.
Violent protests
The colony, which was British earlier, has been muddled with protests for nearly four months which become violent occasionally. However, the extradition bill was the main trigger for unrest. The bill, which is now withdrawn, meant that people will be allowed to be sent from Hong Kong to mainland China for trial. After the retraction of this bill, the protestors in Hong Kong have increased their demands and broadened the cause of protests which include universal suffrage and independent inquiry into the complaints of excessive force by the police. Hong Kong was returned to the People's Republic of China in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula that ensures certain freedom that is not enjoyed in the mainland. There is also a concern of increasing interference by Beijing in the internal affairs of Hong Kong despite the promise of autonomy.
18:26 IST, September 17th 2019