Sections
Log in
Top News
U.S. News World News Featured Voices
Odd News
Entertainment
Movies Music TV
Sports
Soccer NFL NBA MLB
Photos
News Entertainment Sports Features
More...
Defense Featured Science Health Video Archive Almanac
About Feedback Privacy Policy
About Feedback Privacy Policy
Search
World News
Oct. 16, 2019 / 12:25 PM

Hong Kong's Carrie Lam promises 'housing for all' amid protests

By
Elizabeth Shim
Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam introduced new housing and education reform on Wednesday. File Photo by Vivek Prakash/EPA-EFE

Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said in her first policy address on Wednesday her government will make housing available to all city residents across income levels.

"Every Hong Kong citizen and his family will no longer have to be troubled by, or preoccupied with, the housing problem, and they will be able to have their own home in Hong Kong, a city in which we all have a share," Lam said, according to NPR.

Lam's statement addressed the need for better accommodations in the semi-autonomous city state, where low-income residents struggle and live in cramped conditions, or "mosquito-size units," according to locals.

Hong Kong protesters have taken to the streets at least 400 times since early June. At least 1,100 people have been wounded and 2,200 people have been arrested, Lam said, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap's Hong Kong correspondent.

RELATED House passes bills in support of Hong Kong protesters

Lam's housing proposal could be an attempt to ease tensions in Hong Kong, where residents have criticized the chief executive for lack of transparency.

As part of Lam's proposal, about 1,730 acres of unused private land will be set aside and redeveloped for public housing in Hong Kong's New Territories region. The land is owned by a business conglomerate. Developers typically hoard unused land, driving up real estate prices and causing a housing shortage in the city, according to reports.

Lam also proposed education reform on Wednesday. About 900,000 Hong Kong students are to receive an annual grant of about $320 from the city to go toward tuition. Many of the protesters are university students who have demanded transparency from Lam.

RELATED Democrats debate Trump impeachment, Syria, abortion

The protests in Hong Kong prompted the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill supporting the protesters on Tuesday.

China criticized the decision early Wednesday, CNBC reported.

"Regarding the wrong decision of the U.S., the Chinese side will have to enact effective countermeasures, firmly safeguard Chinese sovereignty, security and development interests," Geng Shuang, foreign ministry spokesman, said in reference to the bill.

RELATED China, Russia need to join U.S.-North Korea negotiations, Moscow envoy says

China has previously warned the United States to stay out of Hong Kong affairs.

  • Topics
  • Carrie Lam

Latest Headlines

At least 5 dead, several missing after volcano erupts on New Zealand's White Island
World News // 3 hours ago
At least 5 dead, several missing after volcano erupts on New Zealand's White Island
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- At least five people were dead and at least 10 others were missing after a volcano on a New Zealand island erupted Monday, authorities said.

Saudi Arabia ends gender segregation in restaurants
World News // 4 hours ago
Saudi Arabia ends gender segregation in restaurants
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Women in Saudi Arabia will no longer be required to enter restaurants through separate entrances from men, the government said as it takes another step to relax some of its strict social rules.

Tourists injured, missing after volcano erupts on New Zealand's White Island
World News // 7 hours ago
Tourists injured, missing after volcano erupts on New Zealand's White Island
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- At least one person has been critically injured and a number of others remain unaccounted for after a volcano on a small New Zealand island erupted Monday.

Thousands gather for police-approved Human Rights Day protest Hong Kong
World News // 14 hours ago
Thousands gather for police-approved Human Rights Day protest Hong Kong
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- About 800,000 people gathered for the pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong to receive police approval since August, six months after the demonstrations began in June

North Korea: 'Very important test' at satellite launch site
World News // 17 hours ago
North Korea: 'Very important test' at satellite launch site
SEOUL, Dec. 8 -- North Korea said Sunday that it has conducted a "very important test" at its western satellite launching site, saying the successful testing will play a key role in changing the country's "strategic position" in the near future.

Israel conducts air raid in Gaza Strip after intercepting rocket fire
World News // 18 hours ago
Israel conducts air raid in Gaza Strip after intercepting rocket fire
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Israel Defense Forces conducted air raids early Sunday in the Gaza Strip after Palestinian rockets were fired from the region toward southern Israel.

New Delhi factory fire kills at least 43 while workers slept
World News // 20 hours ago
New Delhi factory fire kills at least 43 while workers slept
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A fire broke out in a six-story factory in New Delhi in India early Sunday, killing at least 43 workers while they were sleeping, authorities said.

Indian woman dies of burn injuries after being attacked on walk to court
World News // 1 day ago
Indian woman dies of burn injuries after being attacked on walk to court
Dec. 7 (UPI) -- A 23-year-old woman who was set on fire while walking to testify in a rape trial has died of her injuries, multiple sources reported Saturday. Police in India, where the woman lived, said Thursday that five men, includi

Controversial Nobel laureate avoids questions about his support for Serbs
World News // 1 day ago
Controversial Nobel laureate avoids questions about his support for Serbs
Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Austrian author Peter Handke, whose selection for the Nobel prize has led to two resignations and boycotts of the award ceremony, waved away questions about his support for the Serbian regime at his inaugural lecture.

Denuclearization is off the table, North Korean diplomat tells U.N.
World News // 1 day ago
Denuclearization is off the table, North Korean diplomat tells U.N.
Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Denuclearization is no longer on the table in North Korea's talks with the United States, said North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations Saturday.

Trending Stories

Houston, Huntsville, Fayettesville police officers dead in line of duty
Houston, Huntsville, Fayettesville police officers dead in line of duty
House 'presumably' will present impeachment articles this week: Nadler
House 'presumably' will present impeachment articles this week: Nadler
North Korea: 'Very important test' at satellite launch site
North Korea: 'Very important test' at satellite launch site
FBI investigating shooting at Navy base as act of terrorism
FBI investigating shooting at Navy base as act of terrorism
New Delhi factory fire kills at least 43 while workers slept
New Delhi factory fire kills at least 43 while workers slept

Photo Gallery

 
Moments from the 15th UNICEF Snowflake Ball
Moments from the 15th UNICEF Snowflake Ball

Latest News

Geriatric conditions pose added danger for older heart patients in ICU
At least 5 dead, several missing after volcano erupts on New Zealand's White Island
On This Day: Senate report on CIA calls torture tactics 'deeply flawed'
Famous birthdays for Dec. 9: Lori Greiner, John Malkovich
New rules for managing wild horses, burros on horizon
 
Back to Article
/
Back to top
About UPI Contact Feedback Advertisements Submit News Tips
Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy