Chinese President Xi Jinping today backed Hong Kong's new Chief Executive-elect Lam Cheng Yuet- ngor, saying she has the ability to handle "complicated situations", an apparent reference to unprecedented demands for democracy and protests in the former British colony.
Congratulating Lam, 59, on her victory in the last month's election as the first woman Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Xi said Lam's victory is well deserved and she meets all the standards set by China's central authority.
With 36 years of government work experience, especially the multiple important posts she held after Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Lam has shown "a firm stance in loving the country and Hong Kong, a diligent, pragmatic and responsible work style, as well as rich administrative experience and ability to handle complicated situations," Xi said.
Lam also enjoys high recognition in Hong Kong society and has the mind, capability and sense of responsibility for the country and Hong Kong, Xi, also the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party, was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency.
Lam, who was backed by Beijing, won the chief executive election with 777 of 1,163 valid votes on March 26. She is expected to assume office on July 1.
In Hong Kong, which merged with China in 1997 under 'one country two systems' principle worked out between Britain and China, chief executive is not chosen by public vote but by a 1,200-strong committee dominated by pro-Beijing electors.
Last year, pro-democracy activists secured 325 seats in the committee - the highest-ever number, but not enough seats to determine the next chief executive.
The 'one country two systems' principle grants certain degree of autonomy from Beijing to Hong Kong.
However, during the last three years, it was beset with divisions over increasing demand for political reform for democracy and independence.
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