Xi says confident in HKSAR's future in meeting with chief executive

President Xi Jinping on Monday expressed his confidence in a bright future for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) during a meeting with HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing.

During the meeting, Xi heard a report from Lee on Hong Kong's current situation and the HKSAR government's work.

Lauding Lee's work over the past year, Xi said Lee has led the HKSAR government in shouldering responsibilities and delivering good results.

The HKSAR government has resolutely safeguarded national security, reformed the District Council system in Hong Kong, smoothly completed the District Council Ordinary Election, and brought Hong Kong out of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and toward a comprehensive recovery, Xi said.

The HKSAR government has maintained the region's distinctive status and advantages, bolstered the drivers for development and worked hard to solve the most pressing issues and difficulties of the people, Xi said, adding that all these have consolidated the HKSAR's turn for the better and facilitated its entry into a new stage in which it has restored order and is set to thrive.

Xi added that the central authorities fully acknowledged the work of Lee and the HKSAR government.

He said, the central authorities will fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the policy of "One Country, Two Systems" in the long term, and fully implement the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong."

The central authorities fully support the chief executive and the HKSAR government in uniting and leading all sectors of society to seize the historical opportunities brought by national development, consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade center, and promote Hong Kong to achieve better development so that the vitality and superiority of "One Country, Two Systems" will continue to emerge, said Xi.

"We are fully confident in Hong Kong's bright future," he said.

(With input from Xinhua)