Carrie Lam
Hairdressers wearing protected suits cut residents' hair at a residential block which has become under lockdown in Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi province on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. A major Chinese city near Beijing has placed its 14 million residents on partial lockdown after a number of children and adults tested positive for COVID-19, including at least two with the omicron variant. Elsewhere, millions of people are being confined to their homes in Xi'an and Yuzhou, two cities that are farther away but have larger outbreaks traced to the delta variant. (Chinatopix Via AP)
China locks down 3rd city, raising affected to 20 million

By Ken Moritsugu Jan. 11, 2022 02:09 AM EST

An Islamic cleric leads relatives in prayer during the burial of a man in the special section of Jombang Public Cemetery reserved for those who died of COVID-19, in Tangerang on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, June 21, 2021. Indonesia saw significant spikes in confirmed COVID-19 cases recently, an increase blamed on travel during last month's Eid al-Fitr holiday as well as the arrival of new virus variants, such as the the Delta version first found in India. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
The Latest: NKorea tells WHO it has detected no virus cases

By The Associated Press Jun. 21, 2021 02:14 AM EDT

In this Tuesday, June 15, 2021, photo, a man walks in front of the Grand Central residential building complex where one of the HK$10.8 million (US$1.4 million) 449 square feet single-room flats will be offered as a prize in a lucky draw. Coronavirus vaccine incentives offered by Hong Kong companies, including a lucky draw for an apartment, a Tesla car and even gold bars, are helping boost the city’s sluggish inoculation rate. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Get a jab, win a condo: Hong Kong tries vaccine incentives

By Zen Soo Jun. 17, 2021 01:50 AM EDT

A Muslim couple wearing face mask and face shield while waiting for vaccine for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a vaccination centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, May 31, 2021. An exhibition center in Malaysia has been turned into the country's first mega vaccination center as the government aims to speed up inoculations amid a sharp spike in infections. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Asia Today: Vietnam to test high-risk groups in largest city

May. 31, 2021 12:11 AM EDT

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam listens to reporters' questions during a press conference in Hong Kong, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Lam on Tuesday defended Hong Kong as an attractive place for businesses, after a recent survey found many foreigners were considering leaving the longtime Asian business hub. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
'Life goes on:' Lam says Hong Kong still good for businesses

By Zen Soo May. 25, 2021 02:29 AM EDT

In this Saturday, May 1, 2021, photo, domestic helpers from the Philippines line up at the temporary testing center for COVID-19, in Hong Kong. Hong Kong officials have dropped a plan to make it mandatory for foreign domestic workers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, after the move drew criticism that it was discriminatory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Hong Kong won't mandate vaccine for foreign domestic workers

May. 11, 2021 02:41 AM EDT

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks during a press conference in Hong Kong, Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Lam said Tuesday that Hong Kong's legislative elections would take place in December, more than a year after they were postponed last year with authorities citing public health risks from the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Hong Kong's delayed legislative elections set for December

By Zen Soo Apr. 13, 2021 05:43 AM EDT

People sit at outdoor tables setup today for drinks to be served in the Soho area of central London, on the day some of England's third coronavirus lockdown restrictions were eased by the British government, Monday, April 12, 2021. People across England can get their hair cut, eat and drink outside at restaurants and browse for clothes, books and other "non-essential" items as shops and gyms reopened Monday after months of lockdown. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
The Latest: Australia has 2nd likely Astra-Zeneca clot case

By The Associated Press Apr. 12, 2021 01:56 AM EDT

FILE- In this Monday, March. 22, 2021, file photo, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam receives the second dose of the Sinovac Biotech COVID-19 vaccine at a Central Government office in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's sudden suspension of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech is another blow to a vaccination program already struggling against a wall of public distrust. Hong Kong on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, suspended use of the Pfizer vaccine, distributed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Fosun Pharma, after defective packaging such as loose vial lids and cracks on bottles were found in one of two batches of the vaccine. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File)
Hong Kong vaccination drive struggles to gain public trust

By Zen Soo Mar. 24, 2021 11:23 PM EDT

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, left, elbow bumps with Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, center, and Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, front, watch after a joint news conference after their two plus two security talks at Iikura Guest House in Tokyo Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Defense and foreign ministers from the U.S. and Japan are meeting to discuss their concern over China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region as the Biden administration tries to reaffirm engagement with its key regional allies.(Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool Photo via AP)
US sanctions 24 China and Hong Kong officials ahead of talks

By Zen Soo Mar. 17, 2021 06:23 AM EDT

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and his Premier Li Keqiang cast their vote during the closing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, March 11, 2021. China's ceremonial legislature on Thursday endorsed the ruling Communist Party's latest move to tighten control over Hong Kong by reducing the role of its public in picking the territory's leaders. (AP Photo/Sam McNeil)
China legislature endorses reducing public vote in Hong Kong

By Joe Mcdonald And Ken Moritsugu Mar. 11, 2021 10:28 AM EST

Supporters of the 47 pro-democracy activists charged with conspiracy wave mobile phone lights outside a court in Hong Kong, Friday, March 5, 2021. Four of the 47 pro-democracy activists charged with conspiracy to commit subversion were released on bail Friday, after prosecutors dropped an appeal against the court's decision to grant them bail. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Hong Kong court grants bail to 5th activist, jails another

By Zen Soo Mar. 10, 2021 11:56 PM EST

Former lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung, known as "Long Hair," second left, shows a victory sign and some of the 47 pro-democracy activists are escorted by Correctional Services officers to a prison van in Hong Kong, Thursday, March 4, 2021. A marathon court hearing for 47 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong charged with conspiracy to commit subversion enters its fourth day on Thursday, as the court deliberates over whether the defendants will be granted bail. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Hong Kong court keeps 47 democracy activists in custody

By Zen Soo And Nicole Ko Mar. 03, 2021 10:23 PM EST

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, top right, watches a doctor receives a shot of AstraZeneca vaccine at a public health center in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. South Korea on Friday administered its first available shots of coronavirus vaccines to people at long-term care facilities, launching a mass immunization campaign that health authorities hope will restore some level of normalcy by the end of the year. (Choe Jae-koo/Yonhap via AP)
Asia Today: 1st vaccines reach arms in S. Korea, Hong Kong

Feb. 25, 2021 11:15 PM EST

People line up to receive China's Sinovac COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine at a community vaccination center in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Hong Kong began administering its first COVID-19 vaccines to the public Friday, kicking off its program offering free vaccinations to all 7.5 million residents. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Hong Kong kicks off COVID-19 vaccinations with Sinovac jab

By Zen Soo And Alice Fung Feb. 25, 2021 08:55 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 26, 2021, file photo, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam listens to reporters' questions during a press conference in Hong Kong. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said Tuesday, Feb. 23, that it was “crystal clear” that electoral reform is necessary, a day after a top Beijing official signaled major changes would be coming to ensure the semi-autonomous city is run by “patriots. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File)
Lam backs Hong Kong electoral changes excluding opponents

By Zen Soo Feb. 23, 2021 02:28 AM EST

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, left, receives COVID-19 vaccinations at a Community Vaccination Centre in Hong Kong Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Hong Kong leader, other officials receive COVID-19 vaccine

By Zen Soo Feb. 22, 2021 02:49 AM EST

Government investigators wearing protective suits gather in the Yau Ma Tei area in Hong Kong, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. Thousands of Hong Kong residents will be locked down in an unprecedented move by the government to contain a worsening outbreak in the city, authorities said Saturday. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Thousands of Hong Kongers locked down to contain coronavirus

By Zen Soo Jan. 22, 2021 07:57 PM EST

FILE - In this July 1, 2019, file photo, journalists photograph a protester defacing the Hong Kong emblem inside the meeting hall of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong. From across the political spectrum, Hong Kong residents condemned mob violence at the U.S. Capitol, 18 months after they saw protesters storm their own local legislature. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)
Hong Kongers call US violence a setback for democracy

By Zen Soo Jan. 07, 2021 04:28 AM EST

American human rights lawyer John Clancey, center, is arrested by police in Hong Kong Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Clancey was the treasurer of the political group Power for Democracy, which was involved in the unofficial primaries. About 50 Hong Kong pro-democracy figures were arrested by police on Wednesday under a national security law, following their involvement in an unofficial primary election last year held to increase their chances of controlling the legislature, according to local media reports. (AP Photo/Apple Daily)
Wong questioned, US lawyer released in Hong Kong crackdown

By Zen Soo Jan. 07, 2021 12:20 AM EST