President Xi Jinping on Thursday met with Chief Executive Carrie Lam as well as members of her government, the legislature and the judiciary, soon after arriving in Hong Kong to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.

In a statement, the government said the meeting was held at the Convention and Exhibition Centre, adding that the participants included the chief justice, the Legco president, members of the Executive Council, as well as principal officials and permanent secretaries of the current term government.

According to Xinhua News Agency, President Xi said the central authorities fully acknowledged the chief executive's work during her five-year tenure.

He also said he hopes Lam will support the incoming CE John Lee and the new government in governing Hong Kong in accordance with the law, and continue to contribute to the SAR and the country's development.

The chief executive, for her part, thanked the president for coming to the SAR to attend events marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland amid the Covid-19 outbreak here, which showed his sincere concern for Hong Kong compatriots.

The president also met former chief executive CY Leung, who's now a vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), praising him for his contributions to the country and the successful implementation of One Country, Two Systems.

President Xi also sent his greetings to Tung Chee-hwa, another former CE and currently a CPPCC vice chairman.

Lam also accompanied the president in meeting 100 people from various sectors of Hong Kong, along with representatives of the disciplined services.

After that, President Xi visited the Hong Kong Science Park to inspect the city’s innovation and technology development while the First Lady, Peng Liyuan, visited the Xiqu Centre of the West Kowloon Cultural District, where she watched rehearsals and chatted with young actors, members of a performance troupe and volunteers.

The government also said President Xi and his wife attended a dinner hosted by the chief executive and her husband at Government House.

State media has reported that President Xi will preside over the swearing-in ceremony of incoming Chief Executive John Lee's administration on Friday.
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Last updated: 2022-06-30 HKT 21:56