Xi Jinping pledges full support for Hong Kong’s John Lee to reform economy

Lee later says he briefed the president on the city’s budget deficit, pledging to spend three to five years to balance the books with ‘a series of strategies’

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President Xi Jinping (right) meets Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee in Beijing on Friday. Photo: Handout

Willa Wuin Beijing,Kahon Chanin Hong KongandNatalie Wongin Hong Kong

Published: 5:07pm, 13 Dec 2024Updated: 11:24pm, 13 Dec 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping has told Hong Kong’s leader that Beijing will fully support him in uniting society, carrying out reforms and creating new momentum for economic development, while praising him for enhancing the city’s international influence.

The president also told John Lee Ka-chiu in Beijing on Friday that he “fully recognised” the work of the chief executive and his administration for completing the legislation of the city’s domestic national security law and addressing challenging livelihood issues.

Lee later said he had briefed the president on the city’s budget deficit, which was forecast to hit HK$100 billion for this financial year, pledging to spend three to five years to balance the books with “a series of strategies” while minimising any impact on residents.

He also reported to Xi on his administration’s efforts in safeguarding national security and improving governance, and vowed to lead his team on reforms and deepening integration with mainland China to achieve “high-quality” development.

At a closed-door meeting earlier in the day, Xi had praised Lee and his administration.

“The central government fully recognises the work of you and the [Hong Kong] government,” Xi told the chief executive in the meeting which Premier Li Qiang also attended, similar to last year when Lee briefed the pair together for the first time.