Hong Kong cabinet reshuffle not a priority, Lam says

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Hong Kong's Chinese-backed leader, Carrie Lam, played down talk of a reshuffle on Tuesday (December 10).

As she prepared to go to Beijing for the first time since her government was humiliated at local polls last month.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE CARRIE LAM, SAYING:

"From time to time in the last few months, there have always been speculations and rumors about reshuffling of my team, including the principal officials, and maybe also including the executive council. My first priority now is really to restore law and order in Hong Kong, and to ensure that Hong Kong could continue to move ahead, both economically and socially."

Pro-democracy protesters held their largest mass rally at the weekend since they scored a landslide victory in those elections, which raised doubts about how long Lam can count on Beijing's support.

"As far as the protest on Sunday (December 8), first of all I take comfort that, given the no objection letter issued by the police, and cooperation by all sectors, we have seen a relatively calm and peaceful protest on Sunday. This reflects the freedoms that Hong Kong people are enjoying. So I hope that this phenomenon will go also to abroad, to show that Hong Kong is upholding all the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people. So all those accusations from various quarters that we are eroding people's freedoms are unsubstantiated."

Pro-democracy protests have rocked the Asian financial hub and former British colony almost daily for months.