Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu meets the media in Beijing on Dec 18, 2023, after meeting President Xi Jinping and members of the Politburo Standing Committee during his duty visit to the Chinese capital to brief them on Hong Kong’s latest economic, social and political situation. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

BEIJING - President Xi Jinping on Monday met with John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Ho Iat-seng, chief executive of the Macao SAR, who are on a duty visit to Beijing.

During the meeting with Lee, 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 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, said President Xi Jinping

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.

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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 said the central authorities fully acknowledged the work of Lee and the HKSAR government.

The central authorities will fully, firmly and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" policy for a long time and fully implement the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," Xi said.

The central authorities will fully support the chief executive and the HKSAR government in uniting and leading all sectors of society to seize the historic opportunities brought about by the nation's development, and consolidate and elevate Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade center, thus promoting Hong Kong to achieve greater development.

Noting that the vitality and strength of "one country, two systems" will inevitably continue to emerge, Xi expressed full confidence in Hong Kong's brighter prospects.

Li Qiang, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Shi Taifeng, Chen Wenqing, Xia Baolong and other senior officials attended the meeting.

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New achievements have been made in advancing the construction of the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, and international exchanges and cooperation have been further expanded, Xi said, adding that Macao has achieved a rapid economic recovery while maintaining social harmony and stability

Speaking to the media on Monday evening, Lee expressed gratitude for Xi’s affirmation of the chief executive's work, saying Xi reiterated during the meeting that “one country, two systems” will be upheld in the long term.

Hong Kong's economic revival, the restoration of its social stability, the successful implementation of its district council elections, the achievements made in attracting talent and enterprises, and the city’s goal to complete the local legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law were among the key highlights in Lee’s report to Xi. 

Lee said the meeting fully reflected how important the central government views the city, and how much the central government cares for the special administrative region. 

In another meeting with Ho, Xi heard a report on the Macao SAR's situation and the government's work. 

Praising Ho's performance over the past year, Xi said Ho has led the Macao SAR government in diligently performing its duties, staying results-oriented and hard-working, successfully finishing the amending of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Macao SAR, and taking orderly steps to advance the work to amend the region's laws for electing its chief executive and legislative council.

He also noted that the Macao SAR government has strengthened the management of the region's gaming sector and formulated Macao's first comprehensive plan for its diversified development.

New achievements have been made in advancing the construction of the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, and international exchanges and cooperation have been further expanded, Xi said, adding that Macao has achieved a rapid economic recovery while maintaining social harmony and stability.

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Xi said the central authorities fully acknowledged the work of Ho and the Macao SAR government.