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Protests show Carrie Lam should offer her resignation, and Beijing should accept it. But who would ever want her job?

  • The present crisis shows Hong Kong needs a new leader, one who respects China and is respected in China. However, this leader must also fight for Hong Kong, and not merely tell Beijing what it wants to hear

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Why you can trust SCMP
Chief Executive Carrie Lam briefs President Xi Jinping on Hong Kong affairs in Beijing in December 2018. Beijing’s surprise at the district council election results indicates that Lam and other Hong Kong officials have not provided adequate intelligence. Photo: ISD

Wanted: a bold, honest, imaginative leader to rescue an old, respected business. The enterprise was renowned internationally, but has fallen on hard times under wooden, unimaginative managers.

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It now stands on the verge of bankruptcy with open fighting between shareholders and stakeholders involving security guards and regular demonstrations by disgruntled workers.
The problems are compounded by a controlling shareholder who does not understand local sensitivities and the inequality between privileged shareholders and managers on one hand and ordinary people on the other.

Interested parties should apply to ... And here’s the rub: where and to whom should anyone with delusions of running Hong Kong apply?

The city’s future looks increasingly problematic. When almost 3 million people voted in district council elections and ejected pro-establishment candidates, hopes soared that this could be an opportunity for a fresh start. Two weeks later, that seems like more wishful thinking.

Beijing, surprised by the results, suggested foreign agents had meddled with the election, insulting voters and misunderstanding the value Hong Kong should add to China.
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