Protests flare up at Hong Kong shopping malls; demonstrators scuffle with riot police as Carrie Lam visits Beijing
FirstpostHong Kong has been embroiled in its worst political crisis in decades since June with anti-government protests posing a populist challenge to China’s leader Xi Jinping Hong Kong: Small groups of anti-government protesters gathered in shopping malls across Hong Kong on Sunday amid sporadic scuffles with riot police, with Chief Executive Carrie Lam away on a visit to Beijing. Hong Kong has been embroiled in its worst political crisis in decades since June with anti-government protests posing a populist challenge to China’s leader Xi Jinping, complicating ties between China and the United States at a time of heightened tensions including over trade. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam is in Beijing where she is due to meet Xi on Monday.Some observers say the visit could yield fresh directives including a possible cabinet reshuffle of key local officials. Despite the febrile public mood, China maintains it is committed to the “one country, two systems” formula granting Hong Kong autonomy and says it fully supports Lam.