Beijing right to condemn opposition lawmakers blocking Hong Kong legislative work, Lam says
- Chief executive dismisses pan-democrats’ claims that central government is interfering in city’s affairs with criticism of obstructionist tactics
- Row erupts after liaison office points to more than a dozen bills being held up in committee, affecting livelihood and economic issues
Hong Kong is caught up in a new, potentially explosive political row over its autonomy, with the city’s leader on Tuesday asserting Beijing’s power and right to condemn opposition lawmakers for holding up the work of the legislature with “malicious filibustering”.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor dismissed pan-democratic politicians’ cries of “interference” after Beijing’s two top offices in charge of Hong Kong affairs accused them of abusing their power in the Legislative Council.
“I want to refute categorically any accusation that such comments made by the two offices constitute interference,” she said. “The central authorities have given Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy, but that doesn’t mean that the central government has given up its power and authority on Hong Kong affairs.”
Lam was combative as she criticised the pan-democrats, seemingly well-prepared for most of the questions to focus on the snowballing controversy at a hastily called press conference that was supposed to be about the HK$137.5 billion (US$17.7 billion) coronavirus financial relief package she rolled out last week.
When the Legislative Council is almost malfunctioning … I find it only legitimate for them to express concern
The real interference in Hong Kong affairs, she said, was coming from outside China, enabled by opposition politicians travelling to countries such as the US to invite intervention and solicit sanctions against their own city.
