Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam reacts during a press conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Associated Press
HONG KONG (AP) - Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says she has never tendered her resignation to China over the anti-government protests that have roiled the city for three months.
Lam was asked repeatedly at a news briefing Tuesday about a Reuters report citing leaked audio of her telling business leaders recently that she would quit "if I had a choice."
Lam said she did voice her frustrations during the private meeting but also explained that quitting was an easy way out for her amid the prolonged crisis. She also slammed the recording and leaking of her comments as "unacceptable."
Lam was elected as Hong Kong's chief executive by a pro-Beijing committee of Hong Kong elites and has come under withering criticism for pushing the widely opposed extradition bill that set off the protests.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam reacts during a press conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Associated Press
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam reacts during a press conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Associated Press
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks during a press conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Associated Press
Students wearing masks, walk along with their formal white school uniforms outside the St. Paul's College during a protests in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019. Tens of thousands of students in Hong Kong boycotted the first day of classes Monday as part of a citywide strike following a violent weekend of demonstrations. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
The Associated Press
Students wearing gas masks and helmet, walk along with their formal white school uniforms outside the St. Paul's College during a protests in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019. Tens of thousands of students in Hong Kong boycotted the first day of classes Monday as part of a citywide strike following a violent weekend of demonstrations. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
The Associated Press
Students wearing gas masks, walk along with their formal white school uniforms outside the St. Paul's College during a protest in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019. Tens of thousands of students in Hong Kong boycotted the first day of classes Monday as part of a citywide strike following a violent weekend of demonstrations. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
The Associated Press