Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor is a Hong Kong civil servant and politician

 

Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor is a Hong Kong civil servant and politician who served as the fourth Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of China from 2017 to 2022. Born on May 13, 1957, Lam has had a long and varied career in public service, starting as a civil servant in 1980.

Lam rose through the ranks, holding various positions, including Director of Social Welfare, Permanent Secretary for Housing, and Secretary for Development. In 2013, she became the Chief Secretary for Administration, the second-highest ranking official in the HKSAR government.

In 2017, Lam was elected as the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, becoming the first female to hold the position. Her tenure was marked by controversy and unrest, particularly surrounding the proposed extradition bill in 2019. The bill, which would have allowed for the extradition of individuals from Hong Kong to mainland China, sparked widespread protests and international concern.

Lam's handling of the protests was widely criticized, with many accusing her of being too heavy-handed and dismissive of the concerns of the pro-democracy movement. The protests, which began in June 2019, continued for months, with escalating violence and confrontations between protesters and police.

In addition to the political unrest, Lam's administration was also criticized for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hong Kong was hit hard by the fifth wave of the virus in early 2022, with a surge in cases and hospitalizations. Lam's government was accused of being slow to respond and inadequate in its measures to contain the spread of the virus.

Despite the challenges and controversies, Lam has also implemented policies aimed at addressing some of the underlying issues driving the protests, including increasing housing supply and addressing economic inequality.

Lam's tenure as Chief Executive ended on June 30, 2022, when she was succeeded by John Lee. Her legacy is complex and controversial, with some viewing her as a strong leader who maintained stability and order in Hong Kong, while others see her as a symbol of Beijing's increasing control over the city and a suppressor of democratic freedoms.