Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday expressed "firm support" for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government under Chief Executive Carrie Lam's leadership.

Unrest in the financial hub has entered its sixth month, and President Xi spoke highly of Lam's courage and efforts during the city's "hard times." 

The chaos, which began with protests against a now-withdrawn fugitive bill that would have allowed the transfer of suspects to jurisdictions with which Hong Kong currently lacks an extradition deal, including the Chinese mainland, Taiwan and Macao, has involved frequent acts of violence.

Hong Kong radical protesters throw petrol bombs at police

Hong Kong violent demonstrators shoot arrows at police

Journalists seriously beaten by Hong Kong rioters

The situation in Hong Kong SAR this year has been the most complicated since the city's return to China in 1997, Xi said, before praising the SAR government's efforts with the "One Country, Two Systems" principle as the baseline.

"You have led the SAR government to actively respond to social concerns, adopt a series of policies and measures to support businesses and mitigate difficulties for the people, and carefully study solutions to deep social tensions and problems," Xi told Lam.

Xi stresses determination to safeguard China's sovereignty

President Xi also reiterated the central leadership's stance on the Hong Kong issue. "We have unswerving determination to safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests, implement the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle and oppose any external force interfering in Hong Kong affairs," the Chinese president said.

He also delivered firm support to the Hong Kong police in strictly enforcing the law, and expressed hope that Hong Kong residents from all walks of life unite and put the city's development back on track.

Lam concludes her four-day duty visit to the Chinese capital on Tuesday. Earlier on Monday, she met with Premier Li Keqiang, during which she expressed appreciation for the central government's support for the HKSAR. 

She has pledged measures to boost Hong Kong's economy and improve people's livelihoods, while integrating with the overall development plan of China and expanding cooperation with the world to consolidate the city's status as an international finance, trade and shipping center.

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam in Beijing, capital of China, on December 16, 2019. /Xinhua Photo)