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  • A workaholic who sleeps three to five hours a night

  • All you need is to see me by your side, caring for you, all the way.

  • who won support from China's central leadership

  • The motherland will always provide Hong Kong with strong backing.

  • and struggles with protests at home.

  • The lawless, violent acts seriously impact on the core values of Hong Kong's rule of law.

  • Carrie Lam is Hong Kong's embattled leader.

  • So, who is she?

  • Lam is a devout Catholic who grew up in a working-class area of Hong Kong.

  • After graduating from an elite university, she joined the civil service.

  • She's held 21 posts in her 39-year career and developed a reputation as a good fighter who could push through policies.

  • In 2012, she became second in command of Hong Kong.

  • As chief secretary, Lam faced her biggest test when China's legislature unveiled a controversial proposal.

  • It would allow all Hong Kong residents to vote to choose their leader, but only after Beijing shortlisted the candidates.

  • How did Hong Kong residents respond?

  • Universal voting rights is a key issue in Hong Kong.

  • A 1,200-member election committee chooses Hong Kong's leader.

  • The city's more than seven million residents don't get to vote.

  • In September 2014, tens of thousands of protesters shut down parts of the city for months.

  • It was called the "Umbrella Movement."

  • "Many people come out to join the protest to say that they want a real and direct nomination right."

  • In the end, the protest movement fizzled out.

  • Lam presented an election proposal, but offered only minor changes.

  • And the Hong Kong Legislature rejected it.

  • In 2017, Lam became the first female chief executive, elected not by a direct vote, but by a committee dominated by supporters in Beijing, a system Lam supported.

  • The opposition criticized her for not prioritizing the territory's voting rights and its protection of democratic freedoms.

  • In her victory speech, Lam pushed a message of unity.

  • It is through real work and actual results that I will respond to those who support me and garner the recognition of those yet to support me.

  • "Deeds speak louder than words.”

  • As chief executive, though, she's been a divisive figure.

  • In February 2019, Lam introduced an extradition bill.

  • It would allow criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for prosecution.

  • Hong Kong residents responded by flooding the streets with more protests.

  • "Free Hong Kong!"

  • Crowd: "Free Hong Kong!"

  • "Free Hong Kong!"

  • Critics said this bill would expose Hong Kong's residents and visitors, including political critics, to being sent to mainland China for trial in Communist Party- controlled courts.

  • After weeks of protests, Lam said the extradition bill was dead and apologized for how she handled the situation.

  • This has led to controversies, disputes and anxieties in society.

  • For this, I offer my most sincere apology to all people of Hong Kong.

  • But for many protesters, Lam's apology was too little, too late.

  • She's refused to make further concessions and the protests have put Lam's political future in jeopardy.

A workaholic who sleeps three to five hours a night

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