Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam won't seek second term

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam announced she would not seek a second term in office after a controversial tenure that has seen many of the territory's civil freedoms eroded.

As chief executive, Ms Lam oversaw a turbulent period which saw greater Chinese influence in Hong Kong following massive protests in 2019.

Ms Lam had been Beijing's handpicked choice for the position in 2017.

On Monday, she told reporters she was prioritising her family.

"There's only one consideration and that is family. I have told everyone before that family is my first priority in terms of my consideration. They think it's time for me to go home," she told reporters on Monday.

A bureaucrat with decades of experience, Ms Lam had pledged to tie the formerly British-ruled territory closer to mainland China, despite growing discontent over Beijing's increased influence.

This erupted in major demonstrations and protests two years later, which in turn led to China imposing a series of policies to control Hong Kong and its residents.

The most prominent of these was the national security law that made it easier to punish protesters and reduced the city's autonomy.