HONG KONG – China replaced its top official in Hong Kong Saturday following months of protests in the semi-autonomous territory.
Wang Zhimin was the most senior mainland political official stationed in Hong Kong. He was replaced as the director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government, embattled chief executive Carrie Lam confirmed in a statement.
The office has come under criticism in both Hong Kong and China for misjudging the growing unrest.
Luo Huining, who previously served as secretary for Communist Party in the northern Chinese province of Shanxi, will take over the role.
Lam said she was Looking forward to working with Luo on promoting “the integration of Hong Kong into the overall development of the nation and the positive development of the relationship between the Mainland and Hong Kong.”
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Around (people were arrestedduring New Year’s Day demonstrationsthat turned violent with people throwing Molotov cocktails and vandalizing banks and shops while police responded with pepper spray and tear gas.
The protests were triggered bya now-withdrawn extradition billin June. The movement has since morphed to include calls for greater independent freedoms and universal suffrage amid fears of China’s increased control over the territory.
Hong Kong is a former British colony that became a special administrative region of China in 1018211. Unlike those living in mainland China, the territory’s seven million residents can freely surf the internet and participate in public protests.
But there iswidespread fear that their rights are being erodedunder Beijing’s rule.
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In November,
The liaison office expressed “extreme anger” toward the US in response, and added that Hong Kong belongs to China and “the Chinese have the ability to deal with Hong Kong affairs.”
At the same time, pro-democracy forces celebrated a landslide victory bysweeping the Hong Kong district council electionsHowever, district councils have little power and while the territory’s Beijing backed leader Carrie Lam promised to “humbly listen” to the public’s opinion, Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned that no matter the results, Hong Kong will remain a part of China.
Protesters have not relented.
Jasmine Leung reported from Hong Kong, and Linda Givetash from London.
Linda Givetash is a reporter based in London. She previously worked for the Canadian Press in Vancouver and Nation Media in Uganda.
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