Exclusive: Carrie Lam says 'no room' for independence talk in HK

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‍By CGTN's Han Peng

Hong Kong's Chief Executive-elect Carrie Lam says her administration will give no room for any talk about the city's independence. The remarks came as Lam sat down for an exclusive interview with CGTN, ahead of her inauguration on July 1.

Last October, two young Hong Kong lawmakers-elect held banners reading "Hong Kong is not China" as they took the oath in the city's Legislative Council. They were later disqualified for not taking the oath in a manner that is in accordance with the Basic Law.

Pro-independence sentiment has been on the rise in Hong Kong in recent years, particularly following the Occupy Central protest in 2014, when demonstrators blocked main traffic thoroughfares for months, demanding Beijing reduce what they called "interference" in the Chief Executive elections.

Yau Wai-ching (top) and Sixtus Leung (bottom), two members-elect of the Legislative Council sparked controversy during their oath of office process after holding banners saying "Hong Kong is not China" on October12, 2016. They were soon disqualified. /VCG Photo

Lam told CGTN that she herself was a student activist back in her university years, but added that while she "appreciates and treasures" the youth vigor in contributing different political views to Hong Kong's election reforms, they have to comply with the Basic Law provisions.

"When you talk about 'One Country, Two Systems', it is one holistic, integrated formula. So it's not 'two systems' on their own, but 'one country' that has 'two systems'," Lam told CGTN.

She said she believes China's central government will not go beyond the Basic Law and interfere with Hong Kong's autonomy, but "vise versa, we must also respect the power that central authorities have according to the Basic Law, including Constitutional reforms."

Her remarks echoed a recent statement from a Chinese senior leader. Zhang Dejiang, chairman of China's top legislature, warned last month that under no circumstances should Hong Kong's "high degree of autonomy" be used as a tool to challenge the power of Beijing.

Carrie Lam addressed the rising concern over Hong Kong's independence movements during an exclusive interview with CGTN. /CGTN Photo

Creating opportunities for Hong Kong's youth

Carrie Lam was born in a low-income family in 1957. After she graduated from the University of Hong Kong, Lam started her 36-year-long career in the Hong Kong government.

"My own experience tells me very clearly that it doesn't really matter where you are from, or what background you have, but the important thing is to provide opportunities," Lam told CGTN.

Hong Kong's youngsters are at the forefront of the Occupy Central protest and pro-independence sentiments. However, they are coping with Hong Kong's current situation, battling with the world's least affordable housing and suffering from a declining social mobility.

Under these circumstances, Lam pledged to make housing one of the three priorities during her term, by continuing land reclamation, releasing existing stocks of flats, and offering new lands for construction of apartments designated only for local population.

Carrie Lam (C) was successfully elected as Hong Kong's next Chief Executive in Hong Kong on March 26, 2017. /VCG Photo

"But I really cannot be too optimistic about solving the housing problem, because given Hong Kong's very unique role of an international city, and we being a free society and free economy, we cannot stop these lots of people to come in to buy properties," Lam admitted.

She encouraged the young generation to take advantage of opportunities presented by the mainland.

A survey by Bauhinia Research Foundation shows that two thirds of Hong Kong's youngsters do not want to go to the mainland, and only 15 percent of those who are willing to make the move, have actually looked for a job there. Compared to a similar survey by Hong Kong Federation of Youth in 2009, the result changed a little.

"In fact, now they have a lot of opportunities, but they need to overcome their psychological barrier," Lam told CGTN, "Somehow in recent years, among some of the young people, they have taken the misconception about the mainland – trying to interfere into Hong Kong affairs, brainwash them – give them a bit of worry."

Lam said she will try her best to create opportunities for Hong Kong's youngsters. /CGTN Photo

But she said these are biased perceptions caused by media and commentators, and encouraged youngsters to go to the mainland and see for themselves the opportunities arising from fast development.

Boosting Hong Kong's economy

Lam told CGTN that her administration will make pro-active economic policies to boost Hong Kong's growth and further connect with the mainland market.

When Hong Kong returned to China in 1997, the city alone took up a quarter of China’s GDP. Now it’s just over three percent.

Both Beijing and Shanghai have overtaken Hong Kong in the size of their contribution to the economy. Neighboring Shenzhen rose from a fishing village into an international city in less than four decades, and is now projected to overtake Hong Kong as early as next year.

Lam encouraged young Hong kong people to discover opportunities in the mainland. /VCG Photo

"First of all, it's not entirely correct to compare the economic growth in Hong Kong, which is already mature, with economic growth in mainland cities, which is growing from a lower base," said Lam, adding that she will cooperate with the mainland to boost the economy of Hong Kong.

In her opinion, Hong Kong will take an active part in the Belt and Road Initiative raised by President Xi Jinping in 2013. The ambitious proposal is a joint investment plan between China and relevant economies to boost infrastructure construction and connectivity across the Eurasian Continent.

"I am very optimistic and very encouraged by what the leaders have said about Hong Kong's unique advantage and hence contribution to the Belt and Road Initiative," Lam told CGTN.

She said Hong Kong is on a strategic location for the Belt and Road Initiative, and vowed to take the ride of the growth of the mainland.

In July, Hong Kong is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its return to the motherland. /VCG Photo

"Doing better with the economy, it means we could provide quality jobs to our young people, and could have money to improve their livelihood," she noted.

Hong Kong 'special' to China

Hong Kong became an international city under the British administration, and after its return to China in 1997, it has served as a special "window," or a gateway, for China to connect with the Western world. As the mainland is becoming increasingly open to the world, is Hong Kong still as special as it was 20 years ago?

"Definitely, Hong Kong indeed enjoys a lot of unique advantages," said Lam. In her opinion, at different stages of development, Hong Kong needs to learn to adapt itself to changes. The city is changing from a "window" for China to open up, to a springboard for many mainland companies to be listed on stock exchange and go global.

"At every stage of the development, because of our unique advantages, which is 'One Country, Two Systems', I see a lot of opportunities," Lam said.

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