Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said Western media's report that Beijing is planning to replace her was "malicious" and politically driven during a press conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
Lam said Chan Tong-kai's surrender in Taiwan has yet to be finalized as Chan and his family are receiving confusing information about the situation.
Chan is accused of murdering his girlfriend in Taiwan and fleeing back to Hong Kong. His case prompted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government to propose an extradition bill that has since been withdrawn following protests in the city.
"I do not know when he will leave Hong Kong and go to Taiwan," Lam said.
Lam also refuted a Financial Times report saying that the central government is planning to replace her with an "interim" chief executive.
Lam said the report is "malicious" and may be a politically-driven speculation.
Hong Kong could enter a technical recession as this year's GDP is likely to record negative growth, said Lam.
Lam also urged support for Hong Kong police and proposed revisiting legislation to deal with the doxxing and harassment of local officers and their families.
