Chinese President Xi Jinping offered his support for Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Monday, praising her courage in governing the Chinese-ruled financial hub in these "most difficult" times after months of often violent anti-government protests. His comments came after Hong Kong police fired tear gas in late night street clashes with anti-government protesters as the former British colony's worst political crisis in decades shows no sign of resolution. "The situation in Hong Kong in 2019 was the most complex and difficult since its return to the motherland," Xi told local media in brief comments before a closed-door meeting with Lam in Beijing. "The central government fully recognizes the courage and assumption of responsibility you have displayed in these exceptional times in Hong Kong." Xi said last month that China was "unwavering" in defending national security and sovereignty, implementing the "one country, two systems" policy and opposing foreign forces interfering in Hong Kong. He stated on Monday that these were Beijing's basic positions on Hong Kong affairs. Lam earlier met Premier Li Keqiang who said Hong Kong was not yet out of the "dilemma" facing the city's ailing economy after months of sometimes violent protests. Source: Reuters to
