President Xi Jinping meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Monday met with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing.

During the meeting, 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 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.

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. ■

President Xi Jinping meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)