Xi Jinping praises Leung's 'proactive' administration

Communist Party leader Xi Jinping on Thursday said the central government would continue its support for Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s administration, and praised his work as “proactive” and “pragmatic”.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Leung in Beijing. Leung is on his first duty visit to the capital as Hong Kong’s leader.

Xi, who took over Hu Jintao as the communist party’s general-secretary in last month’s leadership reshuffle, assured Leung that Beijing would continue to support his administration in Hong Kong.

“The new SAR administration led by Leung has been proactive and pragmatic. It has a heavy workload and it has been working hard,” said the vice-president, Xi, who is likely to become president next year.

“The central government recognise your work and will continue to firmly support your administration,” he told Leung.

The assurance comes at a time when Leung and his cabinet have been beleaguered by a series of controversies – including the scandal surrounding illegal structures found in his houses on The Peak.