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HONG KONG: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said she has “lots of cash” at home as she does not have a bank account after the United States imposed sanctions on her in response to a draconian security law that China imposed. to the city.
Lam was targeted, along with 14 other top city officials, in the toughest US action against Hong Kong since Beijing imposed the new law on the territory in late June.
Washington’s measure freezes the US assets of the 15 officials and penalizes any financial transaction in the United States.
In an interview with local English-language television channel HKIBC aired late Friday, Lam said she was “using cash every day for all things” after being sanctioned.
“Sitting across from you is an executive director from the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) who does not have any banking services available to her,” Lam told HKIBC.
“I have lots of cash at home, the government pays me cash for my salary,” he added.
Lam added that it was “very honorable” to be “unjustifiably sanctioned” by the US government and does not want to dissuade anyone from serving in public office.
Earning HK $ 5.21 million a year, Lam is one of the highest paid leaders in the world.
His comments sparked a public reaction, with social media users posting photos of coins in their piggy banks at home to contrast with Lam’s wealth.
Others questioned how his large salary would be transported to his residence in cash.
Lam had told the media in August that he was facing “a little inconvenience” from sanctions that hampered his use of credit cards.
