Hong Kong, Oct 8: Embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Tuesday warned the Chinese military intervention can not be ruled out if the pertaining situation in Hong Kong escalates.
In a weekly media conference, Lam told the press she seeks to reach a peaceful arrangement to the ongoing mass anti-government protests, excluding the Chinese intervention.
“At this point in time, I still strongly feel that we should find the solutions ourselves,” Lam said on Tuesday. “It is also the position of the central government [in Beijing] that Hong Kong should tackle the problem on her own.”
“But if the situation becomes so bad, then no options can be ruled out if we want Hong Kong to at least have another chance,” she added.
China’s security forces on Sunday issued a warning to the anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, during the first interaction since protests erupted in the territory four months ago against a controversial extradition bill that would allow suspects in the city to be sent to mainland China for court prosecution.
This was the first time when Hong Kong protesters met with China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) garrison in Kowloon district, when the force cautioned anti-government protesters that they could detain them for targeting its personnel and barrack walls with laser lights.
One of the personnel shouted “bear consequences for your actions” during the mass protest in the city on Sunday, when protesters wearing masks struck the streets, in defiance of the emergency rules (mask ban) invoked by Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Friday.
On Friday, Lam announced the mask ban at an afternoon media conference, banning Hong Kong protesters from wearing masks while demonstrating in the city against a controversial extradition bill that would allow suspects in the territory to be sent to mainland China.
The ban followed widespread civil unrest in the city last Tuesday – when China celebrated its 70th anniversary of Communist Rule, which also includes a teenager getting shot by riot police in the chest during the clash between anti-government protesters and Hong Kong police.