Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Tuesday that the city faces multiple challenges in the new year, including violence, economic tribulation and a health scare" as anti-government protests enter their eighth month.
The government is determined to sail through the storm, Lam said.
Her administration's reluctance to concretely address political demands has angered demonstrators, who have called for electoral reforms and an independent investigation into accusations of police brutality.
When asked again about such an inquiry at a news conference Tuesday, Lam said, We do not need to go down this road."