Chinese leader Xi Jinping has praised Hong Kong for enacting additional security legislation earlier this year, and pledged Beijing’s continuous support for the city’s economic development.
Xi on Friday met with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, who was paying his annual duty visit to Beijing, in the central government’s headquarters in Zhongnanhai.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping receives Hong Kong Chief Executive in Beijing, on December 13, 2024. Photo: GovHK.
Foreign governments, politicians and NGOs condemned the fast-tracked passage of Article 23, though it was welcomed by authorities in the city.
“Hong Kong is facing historic opportunities in its development, [Beijing] will continue to implement the One Country, Two Systems framework in a holistic, precise, and determined manner,” Xi said in Mandarin, referring to the political framework that has governed Hong Kong since its Handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997.
“[Beijing] fully supports your government to unite and lead different sectors in pushing reforms, to actively engage with national strategies, to create new momentum and new advantages for economic development, to bring about stability and prosperity through innovations, and to contribute to Hong Kong’s success and stability,” Xi said.
The closed-door meeting was also attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Director of the Hong Kong and Macu Affairs Office Xia Baolong, and the head of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong, Zheng Yanxiong, among other Hong Kong and China officials.
Chief Executive-elect John Lee on May 8, 2022. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Lee, who became chief executive after running for the position uncontested in 2022, said this year marked the half-way point for his administration and a “critical period” for Hong Kong. Lee’s current term will end on June 30, 2027.
Addressing reporters in Beijing after his meeting with Xi, Lee said he had reported the city’s economic situation to Xi. “I have explained that a series of strategies that will be adopted to ensure that we will eventually make a balanced budget. That may take a few years, but we do have a strategy, and I’ve explained and that strategy to the Central Government,” Lee said.
Lee added that the international community had shown confidence in the city as shown by Hong Kong reclaiming its status as the world’s freest economy in a recently released global ranking.
The chief executive is expected to meet with other mainland officials while in Beijing, accompanied by Chief Secretary Eric Chan. Lee travelled to the Chinese capital on Wednesday and will return on Saturday.
