Hong Kong leader open to dialogue but won’t budge on demands

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong’s leader says she has met with a group of young people including some who have taken part in political protests, but she showed no sign of budging on any of the protesters’ demands.

The semi-autonomous Chinese city has seen more than two months of pro-democracy protests that have often ended in tear-gas-filled clashes with police.

Carrie Lam disputed criticism that her government is ignoring the protesters, saying that “it is not a question of not responding. It is a question of not accepting those demands.”

She also dismissed talk of her resignation, telling reporters Tuesday that a responsible chief executive should continue “to hold the fort and do her utmost to restore law and order in Hong Kong.”