It's Not the Economy, Carrie

Carrie Lam speaking to the media about how protests damage the economy

There have been so many op-eds written in the past several weeks telling Chief Executive Carrie Lam to listen to the people and at least withdraw the extradition bill and set up an independent commission on how police have treated protesters and the media.

Some of these pleas have come from people like former chief justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang, to former talk show host Albert Cheng King-hon, to ordinary citizens writing letters to the editor, asking her to get down from her ivory tower and resolve the political crisis that is tearing Hong Kong apart.

But this advice has been ignored over and over again. This afternoon is a case in point.

Lam only had 6 business leaders behind her. The other 9?

A hastily arranged press conference was announced less than two hours beforehand; there was a hint Lam would talk about economic issues, as Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po would be there along with 15 business representatives.

We all guessed she would talk about the economic impact the protests have had on the city and perhaps this argument would talk sense into the moderate protesters into backing down or being less supportive of them.

And at the appointed time of 5.15pm, Lam did not show up. She was six minutes late coming to the microphone. Last minute adjustments to her speech? Nine if the 15 business leaders were late i arriving for the press conference? Or was it what she wore? A turquoise tweed jacket with... gray slacks?

Really Carrie? That combination is so... mainland.

Enough with the sartorial discussion.

Fifteen people in the business sector were promised to attend the press conference, but in the end there were only six men standing behind Lam, including Aron Harilela, chairman of The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, who looked uncomfortable in his plaid suit.

Protests are guaranteed to continue this weekend and beyond

Lam launched into her speech, commenting about how people are concerned about Hong Kong's economy, and that the government needed to find a way out of this "economic impasse".

Carrie -- it's not an economic impasse -- it's a political impasse.
 One of the first measures Lam announced was to bring back the Executive Council meetings starting next Tuesday, earlier than previously scheduled.

How is this useful? Her Exco members have been terribly inept at advising Lam on what to do, so what is the point of meeting with them anymore? Many people have suggested she should sack them and start all over to get more competent advice.

She said she met with 33 business leaders for an hour and a half and that it would take time for business to recover. Lam said it was because of the protests people were not in the mood to shop or go dine in restaurants. The solution? These 33 business leaders have told her to spread positive messages... how inspirational.

People have voiced their opinions to Carrie many times

And then this is what Lam said in English:

"A small minority of people do not mind destroying Hong Kong's economy. They have no stake in the society which so many people have helped to build. And that's why they resort to all this violence and obstruction, causing huge damage to the economy and to the daily life of the people."

How can she say young people have no stake in society? Of course they have a say! They are the future of Hong Kong! How can you even dismiss them?

Twitter was buzzing at what Lam said, some users opining this was proof the chief executive was arrogant and elitist.

One reporter asked why she was having these press conferences without offering any solution to the political crisis, and Lam responded by explaining the police have their own press conference to combat fake news, and the government's press conferences were more about moving forward.

How is the economy even related to the protests? Before they erupted over nine weeks ago, Hong Kong business were already concerned about being caught in the trade war between China and the United States. But now she seemed to pin all the blame on the protesters for souring interest in consumption.

A ticket to freedom? These were handed out at the airport

But hey! Sales of laser pens, hard hats, goggles, walking sticks, medical supplies, bottled water and McDonald's hamburgers have gone through the roof!

She added perhaps there could be an inquiry AFTER things settled down, but not now. Oh and yes the government is listening to the people, Lam added. And then she and the entourage left abruptly with reporters shouting more questions at her, frustrated that she wouldn't answer them.

This only means more protests this weekend. The police have not given approval to three of the four, though the one given the green light is only a rally in Victoria Park and not a march to North Point as proposed.

Meanwhile thousands of people descended into the arrivals hall of Hong Kong International Airport dressed in black and welcoming tourists, warning them that they were in the midst of protecting the city from tyranny.

The protesters are at the airport for a three-day sit-in. They are handing out flyers and brochures to visitors as well as creative boarding passes. They are in yellow and look similar to real ones, saying "Hong Kong going to Freedom" and at the bottom it warns "Gates will be closed when you give up".

These protesters' creativity never ceases to amaze me. 香港人加油! They have the Lion Rock spirit, not Carrie and her administration.