'One Policy Document Can't Resolve All Our Problems'

Chief Executive Carrie Lam has admitted that Hong Kong's problems have not been fully resolved, with the current lull in violence possibly only a facade brought by the pandemic and social-distancing restrictions.

During a TV forum on her Policy Address on Wednesday evening, Lam was asked if she thought her latest blueprint managed to address Hong Kong people's most pressing demands.

The chief executive said public frustration cannot be solved by one policy document.

She said different people have different grievances, with some unhappy with livelihood issues and others raising political demands.

Lam said while she would try to understand people's worries and anxiety, public discontent would not affect governance.

She hit out at those who fail to embrace the country.

"If people's anxiety stems from their lack of understanding of 'One country, Two systems', and they think that Hong Kong can become independent and determine its own future, then we cannot accommodate them but have to point out their mistakes," she said.

Lam also rejected suggestions that she had sold out Hong Kong, with the implementation of the national security law and rift in society.

She said Beijing had to act after violent protests that began last year threatened national security.

Lam spoke about how the unrest affected her on a personal level. "The whole of last year has been a difficult period for me. I didn't know which MTR station would be set on fire. I didn't know if petrol bombs would be thrown at my colleagues in the police force. I didn't know if families of my police colleagues would be doxxed, and if their children would be bullied at school," she said.

"It made me sad as the chief executive... especially when many people with ulterior motives wanted to damage Hong Kong's peace, prosperity, stability, its relationship with the central government and threaten national security," she said.