Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam may reach out to China as economic crisis looms

Lam said protests were severely damaging Hong Kong's economy. "Hong Kong's various sectors will enter a severe winter season," she said.

Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam on Tuesday did not rule out asking Beijing for help, as the Asian financial hub struggles to deal with months of often violent anti-government protests that are damaging its economy.

Lam said Beijing wanted Hong Kong to solve its own problems, but under its mini-constitution, known as the Basic Law, Hong Kong could ask Beijing for help.

"If the situation becomes so bad, then no options could be ruled out, if we want Hong Kong to at least have another chance," Lam said at weekly new conference after a long weekend of violence crippled