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The comment of an angry user appeared on the Chinese social network Weibo with the same haste with which it was deleted: "How many lives does Carrie Lam have?" Many. Some have been dead for months, politically speaking.

Lam, leader of the Hong Kong Executive, 62, a Cambridge student and married to a Chinese mathematician, was the one who unleashed the crisis in the former colony for a bill that allowed the extradition of fugitives to mainland China. Since Beijing, many have been suspicious of their ability to remain in the position as the protests hardened. There was even a report published by the Financial Times leaked from the Chinese government in which they pointed to the possible replacement of Lam.

If he didn't have support on the street, he didn't have them at the polls either. The plebiscite in Hong Kong said it in the elections to the district councils. The anti-government parties, the pro-democratic opposition, won 388 seats out of the 452 that were at stake. The defeat of the ruling party, that of President Xi Jinping and Carrie Lam, was overwhelming.

After six months of battle and blockade in the city, the chief of the Executive went this weekend to Beijing, required by the Communist Party authorities. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, thousands of protesters returned to take the streets and reiterate their demands. This time, the focus of the protests were the shopping centers taking advantage of pre-Christmas shopping.

This Monday, Carrie Lam had a first meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, who urged him to continue making efforts to end "violence and chaos" in the financial city . Li demanded that he investigate "the deeply rooted social problems of the city and put an end to the violence and chaos that ravage its streets."

Many have interpreted it as an ultimatum. Although the prime minister added that "the central government fully recognizes the efforts made, but that it must stop the violence and end the chaos in accordance with the law, and restore order."

Hours later, Carrie Lam has met with President Xi Jinping. It is his second meeting in just two months. Xi, as he had done before, reiterated his "unwavering" support for Lam, whom he defined as "very brave" for addressing the challenges facing Hong Kong. "In the face of difficulties and pressure, it has stood firm on the principle of one country, two systems," said the Chinese president. "The central government fully recognizes their courage and commitment in these unusual times," he said.

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