Chinese president backs Hong Kong leader amid ‘complex and difficult’ situation

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday offered his support to Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam amid ongoing protests calling for her resignation, among other demands, according to Reuters.

“The situation in Hong Kong in 2019 was the most complex and difficult since its return to the motherland,” Xi told local media ahead of a Beijing meeting with Lam Monday, referencing the transfer of the city from British rule in 1997.

{mosads}“The central government fully recognizes the courage and assumption of responsibility you have displayed in these exceptional times in Hong Kong,” Xi added.

Xi also commended Lam for her leadership amid the protests and said China was “unwavering in supporting Hong Kong police in firmly upholding the law.” His remarks came shortly after Hong Kong police fired tear gas on protesters during a late-night demonstration.

“This year is of course a rather special one because in the last six months Hong Kong has been haunted by social unrest, disturbances and violent acts,” Lam said. “So I spent a bit more time to give [Beijing] an account of where things stand.”

The protests in Hong Kong began during the summer after Lam introduced a bill that would allow the extradition of certain criminal suspects to China. She later formally withdrew the bill, but protests continued, calling for her ouster, direct election of the city’s leaders and a probe into police brutality against protesters.

Earlier this month, President Trump signed a bipartisan measure expressing U.S. support for the protesters despite earlier indications he would not weigh in on the situation while the U.S. and China attempt to negotiate a trade agreement. 

Xi’s and Lam’s remarks come after a Monday report from the Committee to Protect Journalists that found press freedom has been curtailed in both Hong Kong and Taiwan, which considers itself independent but which China treats as a territory.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he had not seen the report and would not comment on it, according to Reuters.