Carrie Lam, Hong Kong Chief Executive, to Miss Beijing Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, will not attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics scheduled for the 4th of next month and will focus on responding to COVID-19, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 31st.

Currently, a large number of COVID-19 cases with unknown transmission routes are occurring in Hong Kong. On the 30th, 81 new COVID-19 infections were detected in Hong Kong, of which about 18%, or 15 cases, had unidentified transmission routes. The daily number of COVID-19 confirmed cases relative to the population in Hong Kong is relatively low compared to other regions worldwide. However, Hong Kong adheres to the same 'zero COVID' policy as mainland China, leading to high-intensity measures such as suspension of in-person classes.

Meanwhile, some speculate that Lam's absence from the Olympic opening ceremony may be related to growing dissatisfaction from the Chinese Communist Party and the central government towards Lam and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government following the so-called 'NaeRoNamBul Party' incident.

Earlier, on the 3rd, over 200 people including 13 senior government officials and 20 Legislative Council members attended a birthday party for Hong Kong delegate to the National People's Congress, Witman Hung, which sparked public outrage. After a COVID-19 case was confirmed at the party, about 100 people were placed in quarantine facilities. The first Legislative Council composed solely of 'patriots' had to open on the 12th without the 20 members who attended the party.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.