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Chinese military could step in if uprising gets bad, Hong Kong leader says

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam warns the Chinese military could step in if an uprising in the city gets bad, but she reiterates the government still hopes to resolve the crisis itself

A man is helped by volunteers after getting caught by police pepper spray, near a demonstration in Hong Kong, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019. Tens of thousands of masked protesters marched defiantly in the city center Sunday, but the peaceful rallies quickly degenerated into chaos at several locations as hard-liners again lobbed gasoline bombs, started fires and trashed subway stations and China-linked banks and shops. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
A man is helped by volunteers after getting caught by police pepper spray, near a demonstration in Hong Kong, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019. Tens of thousands of masked protesters marched defiantly in the city center Sunday, but the peaceful rallies quickly degenerated into chaos at several locations as hard-liners again lobbed gasoline bombs, started fires and trashed subway stations and China-linked banks and shops. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)Read moreFelipe Dana / AP

HONG KONG — Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam warns the Chinese military could step in if an uprising for democratic reforms in the city gets bad, but she reiterates the government still hopes to resolve the crisis on its own.

Lam urges foreign critics to accept the reality that the four months of protests marked by a sharp escalation in violence was no longer "a peaceful movement for democracy."

After invoking emergency powers to ban people from wearing masks at rallies, Lam wouldn't rule out other measures including calling for Chinese intervention.

Lam said Tuesday: “I still strongly feel that we should find the solutions ourselves...but if the situation becomes so bad, then no options could be ruled out if we want Hong Kong to at least have another chance.”