Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, is in Beijing for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. 

However, she was seen flying there using Air China instead of Hong Kong's own Cathay Pacific. 

A friendly flight

Lam is leading a 240-member delegation to the capital city. 

But Twitter user @HAOHONG_CFA posted a video that showed Lam on an airplane that was supposedly not Cathay Pacific. 

The atmosphere seemed cordial as Lam shook hands and took a selfie with a fellow passenger. 

However, the exact date and time of when the video was taken cannot be ascertained. 

The caption read:

"HK Chief Executive Carrie Lam boarded flight to Beijing for the national day ceremony, shaking hands and taking selfie with fellow passengers.  She’s flying with Air China." 

HK Chief Executive Carrie Lam boarded flight to Beijing for the national day ceremony, shaking hands and taking selfie with fellow passengers.  She’s flying with Air China.  pic.twitter.com/yaSCLfnqSu — Hao HONG 洪灝, CFA (@HAOHONG_CFA) September 30, 2019

Returning to Hong Kong by land to avoid airport protests

According to Foreign Policy, Lam will return to Hong Kong by land, not by plane, allegedly to avoid protests at the airport. 

Cathay Pacific has been criticised for supposedly succumbing to political pressure exerted by China. 

It has sacked staff who supported the pro-democracy protests, and threatened more who planned to take part in a strike. 

Protests in Hong Kong while Lam is in Beijing

While Lam is in Beijing, more protests are planned for the significant 70th anniversary celebration on Oct. 1, even if the police have not confirmed permission. 

According to the Hong Kong Free Press, celebrations in Hong Kong will be muted as a fireworks display has been cancelled and the flag-raising ceremony will be held indoors. 

This is a repeat of the July 1 flag-raising ceremony, commemorating the anniversary of Hong Kong's reunification with China, although heavy rain served as a dampener for that occasion. 

Top image from @HAOHONG_CFA's Twitter.