Xi heaps praise on SAR for Legco election success

Jane Cheung

President Xi Jinping told Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor that the success in Election Committee and Legislative Council elections showed Hongkongers are in charge of their home territory.

Lam had on Monday evening - a day after the legislative election on Sunday - flown to Beijing to present the latest updates on Hong Kong to state leaders.

She returns to Hong Kong today after her last duty visit to Beijing as her tenure ends in June.

Speculation was that Lam could be seeking Beijing's permission to stand for re-election.

But in a meeting yesterday she did not have much interaction with Xi.

They did not shake hands in the beginning of their meeting and only stood next to each other for 10 or 12 seconds for a photo. And Xi did not smile much during his opening speech.

Following the meeting in the afternoon, Xi invited Lam and Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng - also on a duty visit - for dinner.

After that, Lam met the press but sidestepped all questions on whether she had been "blessed" to run in the chief election race in March.

"The sole purpose of my trip to Beijing is the annual duty visit and that's it," Lam declared. "I have not thought about my future."

On a border reopening with the mainland, Lam said she told state leaders of Hongkongers' hopes but no decisions were reached, despite both sides agreeing that Hong Kong has taken effective anti-epidemic measures.

Xi met Lam yesterday on Zhongnanhai's Yingtai Island, where he said Lam has led SAR to restore order after unrest, contain Covid-19 outbreaks and revive the economy, adding the central government "fully recognized" the efforts made by the administration.

He also referred to the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, saying the SAR administration had moved things back on track, defended the authority and dignity of the rule of law, driven the SAR into blending with national development and deepened cooperation with the mainland.

He also praised Lam for following the National People's Congress's decision in making "systemic improvements" to the SAR's electoral system.

"The successful organization of the Election Committee and Legislative Council elections were firm steps to push forward democratic development that fits Hong Kong's actual needs," he said.

"It was a realization of Hongkongers running the place and executing their democratic rights. The principle of "patriotic rulers" was implemented, a political setting allowing fair participation from all classes and sectors of the society was established."

This year is the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party, and the one country, two systems approach, Xi noted, was included when the nation's third historic resolution was revealed last month.

He said 24 years after Hong Kong's handover the one country, two systems arrangement was seen to be beneficial to safeguarding the fundamental interests of the country, Hong Kong and Hongkongers.

Lam thanked Xi for recognizing her efforts and of the SAR administration.

She said she was delighted to visit Beijing in person so she could thank Xi for his care of Hong Kong and trust in her as the SAR's leader.

The meeting was attended by Vice Premier Han Zheng, director of the General Office of the Central Committee Ding Xuexiang, Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission Guo Shengkun, United Front Work Department director You Quan, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Office for Hong Kong and Macau Affairs director Xia Baolong, deputy director Zhang Xiaoming and Liaison Office director Luo Huining.

Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said Xi did not want to give any hint on the identity of the SAR chief executive after July.

In the morning, Premier Li Keqiang had met with Lam at Ziguang Hall in Zhongnanhai. There, he told Lam to make Hong Kong people have "a greater sense of fulfillment" and reminded her to focus on improving citizens' livelihoods.

He also praised Lam and her administration for their effective governance and facilitation in economic revival and, like Xi, he gave "full recognition" to her and the SAR administration.

Li also said that the central government will continue to execute the one country, two systems principle and guarantee a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong.

Beijing will fully support Lam and the SAR administration to enforce the law, he went on, while backing Hong Kong to maintain its position as an international financial, trading and aviation hub.

Li also hoped Hong Kong will connect directly to China's strategic development so the SAR can assist in boosting the nation's reform while giving Hong Kong more room to develop.

jane.cheung@singtaonewscorp.com