In a first, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam donates money to city’s biggest pro-democracy party
Carrie Lam claims ‘major reconciliation’, in contrast to predecessor Leung Chun-ying, who urged ministers to boycott annual dinner during his term
In what is being hailed as an olive branch, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor became the first chief executive to make a donation to the city’s biggest pro-democracy party.
Lam, who attended the Democratic Party’s 23rd anniversary dinner in Kowloon Bay on Tuesday night, was among others who sponsored former Democrat lawmaker Fred Li Wah-ming as he sang a Cantonese song. She donated HK$30,000 (US$3,820) out of her own pocket; the performance raised HK$320,000 in total.
Before this, no chief executive had ever made a donation to the party, its leaders claimed.
Lam subsequently uploaded three photos from the event to her Instagram account, with the hashtag “major reconciliation”.
Party chairman and lawmaker Wu Chi-wai said: “It is our view that the government should mend ties with different parties. We are grateful for Lam’s donation and hope people from all walks of life would be willing to support us in defending the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and the core values of Hong Kong.”
