Chinese President Xi Jinping praises ‘courageous’ Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam
- National leader says local government has been ‘firmly safeguarding one country, two systems and the Basic Law’
President Xi Jinping has heaped praise on Hong Kong’s leader, singling out her courage in fulfilling her responsibilities and willingness to tackle difficult issues.
At a meeting with Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in Beijing, Xi lauded her for firmly safeguarding China’s “one country, two systems” governing principle for Hong Kong, as well as planning for the future and making efforts to solve livelihood issues faced by residents in the city, especially the young.
“In the past year, you have been leading the Hong Kong government in being courageous in taking up its responsibilities, getting things done proactively, and firmly safeguarding one country, two systems and the Basic Law,” Xi said, in a reference to the city’s mini-constitution.
“[You] planned for Hong Kong’s long-term development seriously, and participated in the ‘Greater Bay Area’ project and the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’.”
“This shows that you are not setting easy goals and avoiding difficult tasks,” Xi told Lam.