The Chinese government is drawing up
a plan to replace Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's leader,
with an interim successor, according
to an exclusive report in today's Financial Times.
If Xi Jinping, China's president,
decides to implement this plan it
would mean that Carrie Lam's successor is
installed by March next year.
That, in turn, would mean that Ms Lam
ends her tenure long before the scheduled departure
date of 2022.
However, Chinese officials want the situation in Hong Kong
to stabilise before taking any final decision on Ms Lam's
future.
They don't want to be seen to be giving
in to the sometimes violent protests that
have been seen on Hong Kong streets for at least
four months.
But from the perspective of the Hong Kong protesters
such a move is likely to be seen as a concession.
Carrie Lam has been deeply unpopular
for the duration of the Hong Kong demonstrations.