China's new man in Hong Kong: "She has to get back on track"

In the most significant manpower exchange since the protest began in the city more than six months ago, Luo Hoining was appointed head of the Coordination Office. He spoke in Mandarin, not in Cantonese, but made a conciliatory note and did not make clear whether Beijing could exert force against the protesters

China's new man in Hong Kong: "She has to get back on track"

China's new Hong Kong senior representative said Monday that he hopes the city torn apart by protests over the past six months will "get back on track." Luo Huining took office after replacing Wang Zhimin as head of Beijing's Hong Kong Coordination Office - the significant exchange of manpower China has made since the outbreak of the pro-democracy protest.

Lowe, 65, made a brief statement to Mandarin reporters - and not Cantonese, which is the language spoken in Hong Kong. He did not make clear whether Beijing was planning a more aggressive approach to protesters in the former British colony, which returned to China's control in 1997 and has experienced its worst political crisis since.

"In the last six months, Hong Kong's condition has caused everyone a heartache. Everyone is very hopeful that Hong Kong can get back on track," said Luo, who declined to answer questions from reporters.

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Protest in Hong Kong

Made a conciliatory tone. Luo Honing (Photo: Reuters)

China's new envoy to Hong Kong, Lu Hoining, January 6, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Luo made a conciliatory tone about Hong Kong, which he said made "an important contribution to China's openness and modernization." In a brief reference to the violence that plagues the city, he cited President Xi Jinping's New Year's speech by saying "without an atmosphere of harmony and stability, there can be no home where people can live and work happily."

The coordinating office, which is headed by Hong Kong's most senior political figure, was attacked in July by protesters throwing eggs at the building and spraying graffiti on it. Luo previously served as governor of Qinghai County, and was also appointed to the Communist Party leadership in Qinghai and Shanxi districts.