'CE Employing Communist Tactics To Shift Blame'

Pro-democracy convenor Claudia Mo on Tuesday accused Chief Executive Carrie Lam of employing "communist tactics" by trying to shift the blame to people who raised questions over the government's highly controversial extradition bill instead of trying to solve the problem.

Opposition lawmakers also accused the government of repeatedly refusing to address key demands of the anti-extradition protesters, saying its stance has driven young protesters to desperation.

Mo said the opposition will not distance itself from the protesters, but hoped the youngsters would understand that they can garner more support through peaceful protest.

The lawmaker urged Lam to meet with her camp as soon as possible, saying the balls in the CE's court.

The opposition said Lam's condemnation of protesters early on Tuesday morning is only an attempt to divert attention away from her own mistakes in handling the extradition saga.

"We don't condone violence. But we hope everyone, not just in Hong Kong, but in the whole wide world will try to understand the Hong Kong young, the desperation exhibited behind the so-called violent acts," she said.

"They need to understand Hong Kong. Carrie Lam is trying to turn the tables and try to shift the public opinion from focusing on the young offenders that they are to blame," she said. "Instead of trying to solve the problem being raised, they are trying to solve the problem-raisers. And that's a very communist tactic."