HONG KONG (`) — Chinese Premier Li Keqiang hailed the Hong Kong government’s efforts to revitalize the economy while unwinding COVID-19 restrictions during a meeting with the territory’s leader in Beijing on Thursday.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee is on his first trip to the capital to deliver an annual report to executives. He is expected to meet with President Xi Jinping to discuss the city’s political, economic and COVID-19 situation before returning to Hong Kong on Saturday.
Li expressed his approval of Lee’s work over the past six months, which has seen most of the city’s COVID-19 restrictions eased, which has helped restore Hong Kong’s image as a vibrant financial hub.
“The fates of Hong Kong and the motherland are closely intertwined,” Li said. “I hope the Hong Kong government will unite and make the Hong Kong people bring their benefits as they act in accordance with the country’s needs.” integrated into the national development plan.”
The city should further strengthen its position as an international financial center and a global trade and maritime hub while integrating with China’s development, he added.
Lee, a former secretary of security, took over the city’s top post from Carrie Lam on July 1. Lam left after five tumultuous years that saw the city rocked by massive pro-democracy protests in 2019, a subsequent political crackdown that crushed dissent and the coronavirus outbreak that killed thousands and battered the city’s economy.
In a May election, Lee became the only race candidate to win over 99% of the votes of a committee composed mostly of pro-Beijing members. He is the city’s fifth chief executive after the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
A day before Lee left for Beijing, he said he would convey Hong Kongers’ hopes for a reopening of the border with mainland China, which is seen as key to further boosting the city’s economy. Most checkpoints between Hong Kong and China have been closed for much of the pandemic.
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