Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has come under a barrage of criticism at a town hall session, with citizens accusing her government of turning a deaf ear to months of protests calling for democratic reforms.
began in June over an extradition bill the government has now promised to withdraw.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks during a community dialogue at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Hong Kong. Source: AP
Protesters have since expanded their demands to include direct elections for the semi-autonomous Chinese territory's leaders and police accountability.
Scores of protesters chanted slogans outside the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in the Wan Chai area, which was locked down as Ms Lam met with more than 130 people, selected randomly from more than 20,000 applicants.
Speaker after speaker railed against government arrogance leading to increasingly violent youth-led protests that show no signs of abating.
They condemned the use of force by police and questioned Ms Lam's sincerity after she rejected protesters' demands.
Just 30 of the people were picked by ballot to speak for three minutes each.
Ms Lam, flanked by several cabinet members, listened quietly during the more than two-hour session and acknowledged the deep distrust of her government and police, vowing to regain public confidence.
Ms Lam has come under fire from Hong Kong citizens. Source: EPA
"'We connect' is my campaign slogan but after two years, some have described it as disconnect, and even out of touch. I know that and hope to change," said Ms Lam, who was elected in 2017.
She repeated her stance that violence must stop and the rule of law be upheld.
Ms Lam said complaints of police brutality will be investigated thoroughly by a police watchdog body, without the need for a separate independent inquiry.
Critics called the dialogue, which was broadcast live, a political show to appease protesters before major rallies planned this weekend ahead of China's National Day celebrations on 1 October.
However, Ms Lam described the session, the first in a series of planned dialogues towards reconciliation, a "good first step".
Anti government protesters hold up placards during a rally outside Queen Elizabeth stadium as Carrie Lam speaks. Source: EPA
Riot police were on guard and authorities set up X-ray machines and metal detectors to ensure participants did not bring banned items inside the stadium.
Hundreds of students and others formed human chains at roads near the stadium earlier, and some later moved outside the stadium and continued chanting slogans even after the dialogue ended.
With AAP...
