Hong Kong: Carrie Lam to hold 'open dialogue platform' amid ongoing protests

W/S Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam arriving to press conference, Hong Kong
SOT, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong Chief Executive: "We are holding the first session next week, and this is an open dialogue platform which we will invite people from all walks of life to come to express their views to us. This is because of our conviction that communication is far better than confrontation. I hope there is no doubt by now that after three months of social unrest, after formal withdrawal of the bill which apparently has set off this social unrest, people now realise that it is not just about the bill. The problems go well beyond a bill. So it is important for the government to listen and to engage the community, to have a better understanding of those problems. Of course, I understand some of these problems [are] about housing, about land shortage, about sort of less diversity, less inclusiveness in our economy and so on. But since we are going into a new style of governance that is more open and more people-oriented, I think this sort of dialogue will be very helpful."
W/S Press conference *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong Chief Executive: "I can assure you that this is not a sort of one-off gimmick-type of function. It is intended to be organised on a very sustainable, and perhaps long-term, basis."
C/U Hong Kong emblem *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong Chief Executive: "Sanctions or punishment are not going to help lift Hong Kong out of this very difficult situation. We need to work as a team, not only within a government but also with community and society at large, to overcome the current difficulties. And that's why we all take up the challenge to continue to serve the people of Hong Kong and work even harder in engaging and listening to the people in order to achieve that particular objective."
M/S Camera operators *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong Chief Executive: "I have to make it absolutely clear that the government condemns all forms of violence. Our condemnation is not politically driven. In the same way, police arrests and subsequent prosecution by the department of justice in an impartial manner are not politically driven. We act in a strict accordance with the law, based on the facts."
M/S Journalists *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong Chief Executive: "As far as government's point of view, I have acknowledged, almost three months ago of what has gone wrong in promoting this bill or undertaking this legislative exercise. We have fully reflected on the inadequacies of the government on various fronts."
M/S Carrie Lam leaving press conference
SCRIPT
Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam said during a presser on Tuesday that her administration will hold the first session of an "open dialogue platform" next week.
"We will invite people from all walks of life to come to express their views to us. This is because of our conviction that communication is far better than confrontation," stated Lam.
The Chief Executive explained that she understands that the causes of the social unrest go "well beyond a bill."
"Of course, I understand some of these problems [are] about housing, about land shortage, about sort of less diversity, less inclusiveness in our economy and so on. But since we are going into a new style of governance that is more open and more people-oriented, I think this sort of dialogue will be very helpful," she said, adding that the solution she offers is a long-term one and not a "one-off gimmick."
Hong Kong has been rocked by demonstrations sparked by a proposed extradition bill since March. Despite the law being withdrawn, demonstrations evolved into a movement with wider grievances.