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The Chinese government is drawing up a plan to replace Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's leader, with an interim successor, according to an exclusive report in today's Financial Times. If Xi Jinping, China's president, decides to implement this plan it would mean that Carrie Lam's successor is installed by March next year. That, in turn, would mean that Miss Lam ends her tenure long before the scheduled departure date of 2022.
However, Chinese officials want the situation in Hong Kong to stabilise before taking any final decision on Miss Lam's future. They don't want to be seen to be giving in to the sometimes violent protests that have been seen on Hong Kong streets for at least four months. But from the perspective of the Hong Kong protesters such a move is likely to be seen as a concession. Carrie Lam has been deeply unpopular for the duration of the Hong Kong demonstrations.