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Hong Kong Leader Open to Dialogue, Vows to 'Stamp Out' Violence

VOA News

   Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Tuesday she is open to
   dialogue with protesters, but that the government will not tolerate
   violence.

   "If violence continues, the only thing that we should do is to stamp
   out that violence through law enforcement actions," Lam said.

   She said it would be inappropriate for the government to accept the
   demands of protesters who resort to violence and harassment.

   "We want to put an end to the chaotic situation in Hong Kong through
   law enforcement," Lam said. "At the same time, we will not give up on
   building a platform for dialogue."

   Lam has made few public comments through several months of
   demonstrations that began with a call for stopping an extradition bill
   and expanded to include demands for full democracy.

   Protesters have plans to continue the demonstrations, which represent
   the biggest threat to peace in the Asian finance center since Britain
   handed over control of Hong Kong to China in 1997. The protesters say
   they are demonstrating against what they see as an erosion of rights
   under the "one country, two systems" arrangement under which Beijing
   assumed control of the territory.

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