Young protesters should be given opportunities to reintegrate into society, says candidate John Lee
Young protesters jailed over the 2019 social unrest should be given opportunities to help them reintegrate into society, Hong Kong’s sole chief executive candidate John Lee Kachiu has said.
He is also calling on residents to abide by the law and be tolerant of different views.
Lee, who is expected to win Sunday’s vote for the next chief executive, also insisted on Wednesday that Hong Kong enjoyed press freedom, even as foreign governments suggested that civil liberties in the city were under threat after the imposition of the national security law in 2020.
“There are attempts overseas by governments, for political purposes, to bad-mouth Hong Kong, particular when we have the implementation of the Hong Kong national security law in the same way they have in their country,” he said after a closed-door meeting with 80 young people at the West Kowloon Cultural District.
“There have [also] been people who try to give the impression that they are doing media work, but in fact, they are pursuing political or personal purposes, which in fact has polluted press freedom in Hong Kong.”
In a press freedom index released by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders on Tuesday, Hong Kong ranked 148th out of 180 locations, down more than 60 spots from last year and a record low for the city. He told the forum that if he won on Sunday, his administration would seek to improve young people’s upward social mobility.
In Beijing’s latest five-year plan, adopted last year, the central government vowed to support Hong Kong in reinforcing its status as a global centre for finance, as well as in becoming an international centre for arts and cultural exchange.
Lee said that he hoped that Hong Kong would again become the host city of many international cultural performances and exhibitions.