Hong Kong’s Chief Proves ‘Safe Hands’ for China as Protests End

Hong Kong protesters vilified Leung Chun-ying, the city’s top official, for weeks and called for his resignation. Now Leung has cleared the streets without making concessions, kept his job and delivered yet again for China.

Leung, 60, enforced the hard line from Beijing as demonstrators took to the streets in a call for a more open election of Hong Kong’s leader. After missteps such as using tear gas that turned public opinion against him, he played a waiting game, letting weeks of street closings fuel resentment of demonstrators.