‘The work of uniting society begins now’: Carrie Lam pledges to heal Hong Kong’s divide
Key move to meet legislators from different political spectrums, Lam said, stopping short of promising to push for universal suffrage
Former chief secretary Carrie Lam, who is to walk into Government House from July 1 as Hong Kong’s first female leader after winning Sunday’s chief executive election, has pledged to “heal the social divide” and “unite our society to move forward”.
Lam, who was declared Hong Kong’s next leader after securing 777 votes in the election, also said she would safeguard Hong Kong’s core values.
“The work of uniting society and moving forward begins now,” the former government No 2 official said.
Lam sidestepped questions whether Beijing had been behind her victory but said she would “have no fears” to defend the interests of Hong Kong people in front of Beijing.
But she said it would be standard “protocol” for her to call on the mainland agencies based in Hong Kong – including the central government’s liaison office – as chief executive-elect.
“It is not to [thank them for their support], but as chief executive-elect, there is some protocol I have to observe,” Lam said.
