President highlights decisive role of new electoral system in Hong Kong

President Xi Jinping stressed on Monday the decisive role of the new electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in enabling various sectors to jointly contribute to the growth of the city, saying that the system must be treasured and upheld over the longer term.

Xi conveyed Beijing's full recognition and support to John Lee, the newly appointed chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR, during a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

Lee, the former chief secretary for administration of the Hong Kong SAR government, scored a sweeping win in the election on May 8 and is set to take office on July 1, after being formally appointed by the State Council this month.

The president said the new electoral system has played a decisive role in ensuring that patriots administer Hong Kong and guaranteeing that Hong Kong residents can exercise their rights to run the city.

He noted that elections held under the new electoral system, including the election of the Election Committee, the Legislative Council and the chief executive, have all proved successful, adding that the system is a political system and a system of democracy that is in keeping with the "one country, two systems" principle, the reality of Hong Kong and its needs for development.

Xi also spoke highly of Lee, commending him for his unwavering patriotism, love for Hong Kong, and for assuming his duties in different posts to contribute to national security and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

As Hong Kong is set to mark the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland in July, Xi said the practice of "one country, two systems", despite the challenges it faced, has been a universally recognized success.

He underscored that the central government's commitment to comprehensively and faithfully implementing "one country, two systems" has never wavered, and will remain unwavering.

Xi said that Hong Kong has already completed a major turnaround from chaos to stability and is now in a critical period in transitioning from stability to prosperity.

Xi added that he believes the new SAR government will demonstrate new vitality in its governance and the region will write a new chapter in its growth.

Hong Kong's economy contracted by 4 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of the year, as the SAR was hit hard by a fifth wave of COVID-19, which also resulted in cross-boundary transport disruption.

Premier Li Keqiang, who granted Lee a certificate of appointment at a meeting on Monday, said the central government will extend full support to the chief executive and the new SAR government in exercising law-based governance, developing the economy and improving the public's well-being.

He highlighted the need to amplify the strengths of the region and enable the city to better integrate itself into national development, and to maintain its long-term prosperity and stability.

The central government and the motherland will always serve as strong underpinning for Hong Kong in tackling various difficulties, risks and challenges, he added.

The premier expressed his hope that the new SAR government can unite the various sectors of society, proactively respond to the concerns of society and keep improving its governance capacity.

It is important for the SAR to consolidate its traditional strengths, bolster its comprehensive competitiveness, steadily enhance its position as a center for international finance, aviation and trade, and expedite its efforts to develop an international hub for innovation, science and technology, he said.

He called for continuous efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, improve the public's well-being and solve problems related to the interests of the general public and offer solutions to the major concerns of the people.

Lee told the premier that he will live up to the trust of the central government and the expectations of Hong Kong people.

He pledged to make all-out efforts to seek growth for the SAR and happiness for its residents, and promote the region's long-term prosperity and stability.