Xi Jinping Affirms John Lee’s Leadership During Annual Duty Visit to Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed full affirmation of the work of Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government during Lee's annual duty visit to Beijing on Tuesday.

In the meeting attended by Premier Li Qiang and other senior central leaders, Xi commended Lee for leading the government with courage, proactivity, and firm commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. He highlighted the successful holding of the eighth Legislative Council election on December 7 and Hong Kong's active integration into the national development strategy, which has contributed to steady economic growth and marked new progress in the city's transition "from chaos to prosperity."

Xi described a recent deadly fire in Tai Po's Wang Fuk Court – one of Hong Kong's worst in decades, claiming over 160 lives – as "heartbreaking." He extended condolences to the victims, their families, and a firefighter who perished in the line of duty.

Looking ahead, Xi urged the HKSAR government to proactively align with China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), uphold and improve the executive-led governance system, promote high-quality economic development, and deepen participation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to better serve national goals.

Lee, in his report, thanked Xi and the central government for their support, noting Hong Kong's economic recovery, improving international rankings in areas such as financial competitiveness and safety, and fiscal improvements. He pledged to lead bold reforms to make Hong Kong safer, more prosperous, and better for its residents.

Speaking to the media afterward, Lee said he briefed Xi on national security efforts, including the recent court conviction of media tycoon Jimmy Lai on collusion and sedition charges under the national security law. Lee described the verdict as upholding legal justice and core values, while criticizing foreign officials, politicians, and media for "blindly smearing" Hong Kong and interfering with judicial independence. He accused them of attempting to cloak Lai's alleged illegal activities under false pretenses of democracy or press freedom.

On whether Xi endorsed his potential re-election, Lee responded that focusing on his current duties was his priority: "Doing my job well is my responsibility. As long as I am in office, I will do it well."

The three-day visit, Lee's fourth since taking office in 2022 and the shortest to date, also included interactions emphasizing administrative dominance and closer government-Legislative Council collaboration ahead of the new legislature's swearing-in on January 1.

Hong Kong's top officials, including the Chief Secretary for Administration, Financial Secretary, and Secretary for Justice, welcomed Xi's recognition as strong encouragement for continued reforms and integration with national priorities.