Hong Kong chief executive CY Leung has drawn a direct link between pro-democracy protests and the delay to a high-profile equities trading platform that had been billed as key to the territory’s financial future.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Leung said he would press Beijing for a launch date for the so-called stock connect during an official visit next week, but added that “co-operation” was needed from those in Hong Kong who are “threatening the rule of law”.
“As we fight for stock connect, and as Hong Kong continues to develop as an international and national financial centre, we need the entire society to co-operate, and I hope that we can restore our social order as soon as possible,” Mr Leung said.