We're Stuck with Carrie

Carrie Lam has a combative first session for 2020 in the Legislative Council

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor continues to live in a parallel universe.

Today was her first question and answer period of the year in the Legislative Council and her remarks left pan-democrat lawmakers flabbergasted.

As soon as she entered the chambers, pan-democrats shouted, "Five demands, not one less" and that Lam should resign.

She continues to support the police fully in their work...

Of course she ignored these calls and made this statement: "I want to tell the young people, who were mostly born after the handover, to treasure one country, two systems... instead of bringing damage to this important system to due to misunderstanding. Otherwise, they will be creating the situation that they are in fact worried about today."

She still believes the pro-China rhetoric that the protesters are separatists. This is completely wrong and absurd. The vast majority of protesters agree that Hong Kong is a part of China, but they are worried about the constant erosion of "one country, two systems".

However Lam claimed: "We must defend the foundation of 'one country' and respect the differences between 'two systems'. Only with that can one country, two systems progress forward," Lam said.

How can she even guarantee that this unique system will continue after 2047? It's a weak statement, who would believe her?

Alvin Yeung asks Lam if she knows what shame is

Then Civic Party leader Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu brought up police brutality inflicted on the protesters.

"On the one hand, Carrie Lam says she is rebuilding the rule of law. On the other hand she is turning a blind eye to police brutality," he said. "My question is very simple. Carrie Lam, do you know what shame is?"

She replied coolly, "I don't accept people describing the handling of the seven-months-long social unrest as involving police brutality. What I see is our police force keeping the peace in Hong Kong from dawn to dusk."

To which Council Front legislator Claudia Mo Man-ching shouted, "You're lying! You're a bloody liar!"

Mo was soon escorted out.

Claudia Mo calls out Lam for being a liar in Legco

Lam is missing an opportune moment to try to mend the rift between the pro-establishment and the pan-democrats, protesters and the police, by starting 2020 on a more conciliatory tone, like announcing an independent inquiry into the protests, and yet she still chooses to staunchly side with the police.

She thinks that giving out HK$10 billion of sweetners for the elderly will do the trick, but no one is impressed. Lam is hardly thinking outside the box.

And for Beijing to insist she is the person to solve these deeply-rooted problems leaves the rest of us shaking our heads in frustration.

We all know already how 2020 is shaping up to be: More frustration, more protests, more violence and more of Lam living in a parallel universe.

She seems to be the one intent on destroying Hong Kong. What gives?