HK revives politically divisive policies

Bloomberg

Hong Kong’s leader is pushing ahead with politically divisive policies that may prompt new protests against China’s influence over the city, even as she tries to revive a once-vibrant economy that’s been battered by unrest and the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Tuesday a controversial law making it illegal to disrespect China’s national anthem would get priority in the city’s legislature, and it’s necessary for school curriculum reforms that would foster a “national identity,” moves that could prompt further protests in the Asian financial hub.
Lam, whose government has punished teachers for speaking out on the city’s pro-democracy protests, also said she was awaiting a task force report on education reforms. “I’m not afraid of other’s criticism or smearing,” she said at a regular news conference ahead of a meeting of her advisory Executive Council. “Education is about character building and I hope that everyone who works in education can uphold that spirit.”
Both Lam and her backers in Beijing are trying to increase pressure on opposition politicians who have been filibustering in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council. That includes the important House Committee election, which is chaired by a pro-democracy lawmaker singled out by China for potentially violating his oath of office.
Lam’s government is trying to get the city back to normal as it grapples with a deep recession caused by more than six months of protests last year, followed by Covid-19. In doing so, she faces the challenge of balancing competing priorities, including reviving the economy by relaxing virus-era restrictions, handling resurgent protests and pushing a policy agenda that risks sparking further unrest that could derail a recovery.
Her officials relaxed measures on public gatherings, raising the number of people allowed to gather to eight, from just four. Hong Kong’s lively restaurant scene appears to be returning to normal, with crowds packing central areas.
But alongside those steps, pro-democracy demonstrators are renewing their movement, with several rallies held this past weekend.