We’re going to close down the blog. Our main story is here.
Summary
- Carrie Lam attempted to deliver her annual policy address today in the Legislative Council, the first time the governing body had met since June, when protested surrounded the Legco building, preventing lawmakers from entering to debate the controversial extradition bill that sparked the protests that have gripped Hong Kong for months.
- The Hong Kong leader’s speech was interrupted by pro-democracy lawmakers shouting slogans, including “Five demands, not one less”, which refers to their demands for an independent inquiry into police behaviour, amnesty for those arrested, democratic reforms to give Hong Kong residents universal suffrage, the withdrawal of the emergency law which allows for a ban of face masks during protests, a halt to categorising the protests as riots.
- Lawmakers shouted in protest, held up signs showing Lam with blood on her hands and projected writing saying “Five demands, not one less” onto the wall behind where Lam was speaking.
- Lam had to stop her speech twice due to the shouting of lawmakers, with the chair of Legco evicting six pro-democracy lawmakers before suspending the session entirely.
- Pro-democracy lawmaker Tanya Chan urged Carrie Lam to step down, saying:
“ really urge her, if she cannot govern Hong Kong, if she has no determination to govern Hong Kong and she has no ability and isn’t capable in administrating Hong Kong, please step down. This is the only way that we can have a good future and this is only way Hong Kong can move forward.”
- Carrie Lam eventually delivered her speech via a televised address during which she said Hong Kong would “not tolerate” the advocacy of Hong Kong independence and challenges to national sovereignty. She added that the protests have “seriously damaged Hong Kong’s image” and the government would intensify promotion efforts to restore the faith of the outside world, but that by relying on its core values of the rule of law, respect of human rights, efficient bureaucracy, and One Country Two Systems, “the rainbow will emerge after the storm”.
Carrie Lam says ‘the rainbow will emerge after the storm’
Carrie Lam said the protests have “seriously damaged Hong Kong’s image” and the government would intensify promotion efforts to restore the faith of the outside world.
Lam also said with the support of China and the determination of Hong Kong people, the city would certainly be able to overcome the current difficulties.
She remarked that many people have lost faith in Hong Kong and become pessimistic, but she urged them to put aside their differences to embark on a new journey.
Lam said Hong Kong could rely on the strength of its core values such as the rule of law, respect of human rights, efficient bureaucracy, the One Country Two Systems, its prestigious status as a financial centre, free trade. She said with the Hong Kong people’s rational and pragmatic approach, she was sure that “the rainbow will emerge after the storm.”
Updated
Carrie Lam has finished speaking.
Carrie Lam's speech shouted down by lawmakers – in pictures
Carrie Lam says rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success and she particularly thanked police, staff at metro stations and the airport authorities who have to work to maintain services.
Carrie Lam warns Hong Kong will “not tolerate” advocacy of independence
She said she has come up with solutions to calm the sentiment, including community dialogues and other measures. She said Hong Kong has to operate on the principle of One Country Two Systems, but will “not tolerate” the advocacy of Hong Kong independence and challenges to national sovereignty.
“During this turbulent and difficult period, we must firmly stick to the One Country Two Systems policy, and we can emerge from our current impasse.”
Updated
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam began her mid-term policy address by saying Hong Kong has long been seen as a civilised city, but the the past few months, “conflicts became more and more widespread”, sparking more than 400 protests and public assemblies.
She said many of these descended into violent attacks, injuring more than 1,100 and the arrests of more than 2,200 people. She said protesters have carried out “organised and calculated attacks” on people who have different political opinions from themselves, including people taking the law into their own hands and doxxing.
Lam said that many people were asking: “Will Hong Kong return to normal? Is Hong Kong still a place where we can live safely?”
Updated
Carrie Lam's televised address has begun
Hong Kong’s leader has begun her annual policy speech, a major address in which the chief executive traditional outlines their policy agenda for the year. She tried to deliver the address inside the chamber but was twice drowned out by pro-democracy lawmakers who shouted her down and called on her to resign.
Before she began, pro-government lawmaker Alice Mak condemned pro-democracy lawmakers, accusing them of “bringing street violence into the legislation chamber. People don’t want to see this kind of behaviour.”
The Hong Kong government has issued a statement on its website.
Owing to the current circumstances, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, was not able to deliver the entire Policy Address at the Legislative Council today (October 16). To allow members of the public to know in full the various initiatives in it, she will deliver the Policy Address to members of the public through video at about 12.15pm today. Members of the public can view the broadcast on TV and the Policy Address website (www.policyaddress.gov.hk).
Carrie Lam to deliver televised address after speech interrupted twice
Carrie Lam’s annual policy address has been delayed until 12:15 local time (about 20 minutes from now) after her speech in front of the Legco was interrupted twice by loud protests from pro-democracy legislators, who shouted at her to step down, and yelled about their “five demands”.
Lawmakers are scathing about Lam’s decision to resort to a televised speech.
“It’s a historic moment, she’s so terrified that she needs to hide behind a camera,” says Claudia Mo.
“Our five demands are very clear, not one less. I really urge her, if she cannot govern Hong Kong, if she has no determination to govern Hong Kong and she has no ability and isn’t capable in administrating Hong Kong, please step down. This is the only way that we can have a good future and this is only way Hong Kong can move forward.”
Pro-democracy lawmaker Tanya Chan urges #CarrieLam to step down if she is not capable of governing #HongKong pic.twitter.com/3yeGbEcXfT
— Timmy Sung (@timmysung) October 16, 2019
Student activist, Joshua Wong, has tweeted a picture from today’s sitting of Legco, during which a lawmaker projected some words onto the wall behind Carrie Lam: “Five demands, not one less”.
FIVE Demands, Not one less! (Source: EyePress) pic.twitter.com/UXM3Yb6odP
— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 😷 (@joshuawongcf) October 16, 2019
Lawmaker Charles Mok is addressing the press now: “When 80% of the people of HK believe she does not have a mandate to lead Hong Kong, she has no right to be in the chamber of Legco to deliver a policy address.
He adds that pro-democracy lawmakers will deliver a “people’s policy address”.
Claudia Mo, a pro-democracy lawmaker has addressed the media. She says: “She is just a puppet on strings played by Beijing. Carrie Lam should be ashamed of herself, she is conducting the biggest sellout of Hong Kong.”
Updated
Pro-democracy lawmakers chant: "Carrie Lam, step down!" and Tania Chan accuses Carrie Lam of being the reason people are taking to the streets. pic.twitter.com/himjNEYogA
— Kate Lyons (@MsKateLyons) October 16, 2019
Pro-democracy lawmaker Tanya Chan, flanked by other pro-democracy lawmakers, told reporters that Carrie Lam is “the source of inciting people to take to the streets”.
“Based on what can she rule Hong Kong?” she asks.
Chan played a recording of protesters screaming from being beaten during protests and said “Her hands are full of blood, based on what can she be a chief executive?”
She is now addressing the press in English, calling on Lam to step down, saying: “Please don’t let us suffer anymore, please go!”
Carrie Lam has walked out of the Legislative Council for second time after interruptions
The chair has suspended the Legco again and Carrie Lam has left the building for a second time after pro-democracy lawmakers once again interrupted her speech.
They are now standing as a group in front of the press and chanting: “Five demands, not one less” and “Carrie Lam! Step down!”
Pro-democracy lawmakers carrying signs showing Carrie Lam with blood on her hands are evicted from the city's Legislative Council after screaming protests at Carrie Lam as she attempted to address the council. pic.twitter.com/gG61YtLSdG
— Kate Lyons (@MsKateLyons) October 16, 2019
Chair of Hong Kong's government evicts more lawmakers for protesting Carrie Lam speech
The chair has evicted four more pro-democracy lawmakers from the chamber, bringing the total number of those evicted to six, counting the two from before.
The chair has also confiscated the equipment of one of the lawmakers, who used a projector to project characters onto Lam as she spoke.
The lawmakers are carrying signs showing a smiling Lam holding up her hands that are covered in blood.
Rowdy scenes in Hong Kong's parliament as pro-democracy lawmakers shout to drown out Carrie Lam's annual policy speech. pic.twitter.com/MMDEuCbd8M
— Kate Lyons (@MsKateLyons) October 16, 2019
One lawmaker has advanced to the front of the chamber and security members immediately ran to the front of the chamber to block the aisles and any access from lawmakers to Lam.
Carrie Lam returns to Legco to address lawmakers after speech aborted due to chants
Carrie Lam has re-entered the building after the chair of Legco admonished pro-democracy lawmakers and saying that people have the right to listen to Lam’s speech.
She is speaking now but the shouting from lawmakers is deafening, she can barely be heard above their protests.
The chair of the Legco has resumed his seat and is speaking to lawmakers, who have begun chanting again.
The lawmakers were shouting “Five demands, not one less” and their placards have the same slogan on them, this is a reference to five key requests from protesters, which are:
- an independent inquiry into police behaviour
- amnesty for those arrested
- democratic reforms to give Hong Kong residents universal suffrage
- the withdrawal of the emergency law which allows for a ban of face masks during protests
- a halt to categorising the protests as riots
Some placards also read: “Reclaim the legislature, resume political reform”.
Things have quietened down in the Legco now, but there is still no sign of Carrie Lam. Her speech was barely able to begin before pro-democracy lawmakers shouted her down to the point that the policy address could not continue.
Hong Kong Legislative Council sitting suspended due to lawmakers' protests
The chair of Legco has announced the session was to be suspended due to the shouting of of pro-democracy lawmakers.
Pro-democracy lawmaker Tanya Chan was ordered to leave the chamber, another, Raymond Chan, was escorted out of the chamber by security staff.
Carrie Lam has left the chamber. There is no word whether the speech will resume.
Updated
Carrie Lam addresses Legislative Council as pro-democracy lawmakers shout criticism
Carrie Lam has arrived to deliver her address but is being shouted down by pro-democracy lawmakers who are shouting criticism and waving placards. They are all dressed in black shirts with slogans written on them.
Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has not met since June. Protesters stormed its headquarters back in early July. This was early on in the protests and marked a shift in tone of the protests, from largely peaceful, enormous gatherings of citizens, number up to one million people, to more organised protests that had a tone of palpable anger.
People were divided over the decision to storm the Legco, with experienced pro-democracy campaigners in the city saying the move went too far and risked turning public opinion against them.
Updated
Tight security near Legco ahead of speech
Images coming in from Hong Kong show serious security measures that are being taken to protect the Legco building as the council resumes sessions for the first time in months.
Here’s the agenda of the Legislative Council for today:
Wednesday 16 October 2019 at 11am
I. Papers to be laid on the Table of the Council
51 items of subsidiary legislation/instruments and 20 other papers to be laid on the Table of the Council are set out in the Appendix
II. Delivery of the Policy Address by the Chief Executive
The Chief Executive to deliver the Policy Address under Rule 13(1A) of the Rules of Procedure
III. Government Bill
Resumption of Second Reading debate under Rule 64(2) of the Rules of Procedure for the purpose of making an announcement of the withdrawal of the Bill
Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of today’s events in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam is set to deliver her annual policy address today when the Legislative Council (Legco) of Hong Kong resumes its sessions.
Lam said yesterday that the Legco would launch economic measures to ease the land and housing situation, after mainland Chinese officials insisted unaffordable housing and employment issues are the “root cause” of Hong Kong’s social unrest.
She also hinted that the government of Hong Kong may introduce further measures to suppress the protests, despite huge opposition to the emergency regulations that have already been introduced.
On 4 October Lam announced the government had invoked a colonial-era Emergency Regulations Ordinance – last used 52 years ago – to pass a regulation forbidding the use of face masks, bypassing the legislature. The move sparked widespread anger and has since prompted hundreds of thousands to don masks and take to the streets in defiance of the ban.
Asked whether she would consider invoking emergency powers again to introduce more measures to quell unrest, Lam said “we need very strong reasons” to justify further measures, but also insisted that “we should consider every measure to end violence”.
