a plan to replace Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's leader,

with an interim successor, according

to an exclusive report in today's Financial Times.

If Xi Jinping, China's president,

decides to implement this plan it

would mean that Carrie Lam's successor is

installed by March next year.

That, in turn, would mean that Ms Lam

ends her tenure long before the scheduled departure

date of 2022.

However, Chinese officials want the situation in Hong Kong

to stabilise before taking any final decision on Ms Lam's

future.

They don't want to be seen to be giving

in to the sometimes violent protests that

have been seen on Hong Kong streets for at least

four months.

But from the perspective of the Hong Kong protesters

such a move is likely to be seen as a concession.

Carrie Lam has been deeply unpopular

for the duration of the Hong Kong demonstrations.