South China Morning Post:
Since controversy arose concerning the HKSAR government's amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance, Hong Kong has seen a protracted period of massive demonstrations. According to a University of Hong Kong opinion poll, the public approval rating for Carrie Lam has hit a new low. How does the central government judge her performance in the past one or two months, including her handling of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance amendment bill? Is she still fit to run Hong Kong? Will the HKSAR's high-ranking officials including Carrie Lam be held accountable? Thank you.
Xu Luying:
Thanks for your question. Since taking office in 2017, Chief Executive Carrie Lam has led the HKSAR government to actively govern Hong Kong. She has done a great deal of work developing the economy, improving people's well-being and integrating Hong Kong into the national development course. This is obvious to all. All along, the central government has fully recognized the work of Carrie Lam and the HKSAR government. The amendment bill aims to plug loopholes in the HKSAR's existing legal framework, jointly crack down on crimes and uphold justice. It has the support of the central government. After big differences and demonstrations arose in regard to the amendment bill, the HKSAR government decided to suspend work on it to restore public peace and order as soon as possible. The central government has expressed its support, understanding and respect for this. We notice that the HKSAR government has summed up and reflected on its shortcomings in handling the amendment bill. At the July 1 reception to mark the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that the HKSAR government would change its style of governance to become more open and inclusive to public opinions. We also notice that quite a few Hong Kong citizens have been quietly supporting the chief executive and the HKSAR. The central government will continue to firmly support Chief Executive Carrie Lam and the HKSAR government in governing Hong Kong in accordance with the law and uniting and leading all sectors of Hong Kong to jointly maintain prosperity and stability. Thank you.
