HONG KONG: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam cheered the city’s “return to stability” during China national day celebrations on Thursday, as hundreds of police in riot gear patrolled the route of a banned anti-government march by pro-democracy activists.
Protesters wanted to march against Beijing’s imposition of a sweeping national security law on June 30 and demand the return of 12 Hong Kong people China arrested at sea in August on their way to self-ruled Taiwan.
Lam attended a flag raising ceremony with other senior Hong Kong and mainland officials in a centre for exhibitions surrounded by police and security barriers.
“Over the past three months, the plain truth is, and it is obvious to see, that stability has been restored to society while national security has been safeguarded, and our people can continue to enjoy their basic rights and freedoms,” Lam said.
As she spoke,…