HONG KONG (Dispatches) -- Hong Kong's under-fire leader Carrie Lam on Tuesday said China intervening to end months of riots is an option following a particularly violent week of unrest that paralyzed the city.
The financial hub has been gripped by four months of rallies, and last weekend saw much of the city grind to a halt as masked demonstrators took to the streets in defiance of a ban on face coverings.
Over the last week, hardcore protesters have trashed dozens of subway stations, vandalized shops with mainland China ties, built fires and blocked roads.
Hong Kong was virtually locked down over the three-day holiday weekend, with the majority of subway stops closed. Thirteen damaged stations remained shut on Tuesday morning as rush-hour commuters returned to work after the long break, although two reopened later.
Lam told reporters that while she believes the city's authorities can cope with the unprecedented troubles, China could be called upon if the situation becomes "so bad".
"At this point in time, I still strongly feel that we should find the solutions ourselves. It is also the position of the central government (in Beijing) that Hong Kong should tackle the problem on her own.
"But if the situation becomes so bad, then no options can be ruled out if we want Hong Kong to at least have another chance."
U.S President Donald Trump earlier urged a "humane solution" to the crisis. He remarked on the "great people over there" and said protesters had been "flying the American flag".
While not referencing Trump, Lam said: "I hope anyone, especially foreign members, whenever they have to comment on Hong Kong's current situation, they have to look at the fact objectively."
And when asked for her thoughts on comments made by Hong Kong's last governor Chris Patten that the face mask ban was "madness", Lam said: "You cannot make a spiteful comment on Hong Kong, or support the violent protesters, claiming that their way is peaceful and it's their freedom.
"I think his comment is irresponsible."
China says foreign governments, including Britain and the United States, have fanned anti-China sentiment.