Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam left for
Beijing on Saturday for her first visit to the Chinese capital since her government was handed a crushing defeat in local
elections last month, prompting speculation about changes to her leadership team.
Lam is due to discuss the political and economic situation in the China-ruled city with Beijing officials during a four-day visit.
Hong Kong has been convulsed by daily and often violent
protests for the last six months as demonstrations against a now-withdrawn extradition bill broadened into demands for greater democratic freedom.