Beijing Doesn't Owe HK Universal Suffrage: Carrie Lam

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Thursday that it would be wrong for people to think that Beijing owes Hong Kong people universal suffrage.

Delivering a live-streamed lecture to teachers involved in citizenship and social development lessons, Lam said while the central government is very sincere in promoting democratic development in Hong Kong, the Basic Law states that selecting the chief executive by universal suffrage is only the ultimate aim.

"In recent years, many people pursuing so-called democracy would say that the central government owes us, if the CE is not chosen by one person, one vote. This concept is wrong," she said.

"Do you remember who Hong Kong's leader was before 1997? It was the governor sent by the UK government. Did we have an election or consultations, or did they ask Hongkongers? No. So this executive-led system headed by the chief executive is not something new... The Basic Law just continues that executive-led system."

Lam added that the idea of having civic nomination for CE candidates is unacceptable, since it is inconsistent with the Basic Law.

During her speech, Lam also said the SAR government and the education sector had not taught people about One Country, Two Systems well enough in the past, leading to misunderstandings about basic principles.

People who pit one country against two systems endanger national security, as well as Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, she added.