Hong Kong leader urges calm as protest tensions rise

STR / AFPTV / AFP

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday violence by protesters had pushed Hong Kong into "a state of panic and chaos".

As she spoke to reporters, her voice cracking with emotion at one point, she said Hong Kong had "reached [a] dangerous situation" and that violence during protests would push it "down a path of no return".

Mass unrest, sparked by a controversial extradition bill, has rocked the city for 10 weeks and shows no signs of abating.

Hong Kong's airport reopened on Tuesday but hundreds of flights still remained cancelled after pro-democracy protesters forced the shutdown of the transport hub.

More from International News

News

  • UAE President receives Lebanese counterpart

    President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, in his first official visit to the country since taking office.

  • UAE authorities conduct air ambulance mission in Oman

    Emirati authorities carried out an air ambulance mission for an injured person who "suffered a sudden health problem" in Oman, it was announced on Wednesday. 

  • UAE President holds talks with Ecuadorian leader

    UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the President of the Republic of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, met on Wednesday to discuss strengthening cooperation in economy, trade, renewable energy, sustainability, investment, tourism, and agriculture.