Hong Kong: 'Irresponsible and unfounded' - Lam on US Senator calling HK 'police state'

W/S Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam arrives at press conference in Hong Kong
SOT, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong Chief Executive: "First of all, I'm sure you know one of the most important core values in Hong Kong is the rule of law and one of the most important features underpinning the rule of law is an independent judiciary. So I will not interfere or comment on the arrangements in the judiciary to deal with a large number of cases arising from this incident. So that is my first reply. As far as individual US Senators coming to Hong Kong meeting with a lot of people and making comments, I have to say that I thought their visit to Hong Kong would enable them to see the actual situation in a comprehensive and objective manner. But unfortunately the feedback that I've got is most of them, several of them coming here, they have very preconceived views about [the] Hong Kong situation. That's why for this particular Senator to describe Hong Kong as becoming a police state is totally irresponsible and unfounded. The Hong Kong police force is a highly professional and civilised force. I would challenge every politician to ask themselves if the large extent of violent acts and all those petrol bombs and arson and attacks, really deadly attacks on policemen happened in their own country, what would they do? What would their policemen do? So my simple response is to describe Hong Kong as a police state is totally unfounded, and what's more we have very important mechanisms providing check and balance in every aspect of our law enforcement."
W/S Journalists *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong Chief Executive: "My first response to your question about the escalating violence and the use of these home-made bombs and also the very deadly attacks on policemen, is this gives us even stronger determination to end the violence. I have said on many occasions that violence will not give us the solution. Violence will only breed more violence. So for concessions to be made simply because of escalating violence will only make the situation worse. On the other hand, we should consider every means to end the violence."
W/S Tamar park near government headquarters
W/S Tamar park near government headquarters
SCRIPT
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam called US senator Josh Hawley's recent remarks on Hong Kong becoming a police state as "totally irresponsible and unfounded".
Speaking to reporters in Hong Kong on Monday she said, "I would challenge every politician to ask themselves if the large extent of violent acts and all those petrol bombs and arson and attacks, really deadly attacks on policemen happened in their own country, what would they do? What would their policemen do? So my simple response is to describe Hong Kong as a police state is totally unfounded, and what's more we have very important mechanisms providing check and balance in every aspect of our law enforcement."
US senator Hawley courted controversy on Monday, when he warned that Hong Kong is inching towards becoming a police state. His remarks came after a two-day trip to Hong Kong along with US Texas Senator Ted Cruz, where he met with prominent anti-Beijing activist Joshua Wong and watched Sunday night protests.
He is also among the sponsors of the 'Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act' bill which calls for annual evaluations of whether Hong Kong still meets the conditions - including remaining autonomous - of the 1992 U.S. law granting it special economic status.