PRESIDENT Xi Jinping met with John Lee, the newly appointed chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Beijing yesterday.

Lee, who won the chief executive election May 8, will assume office July 1.

Praising Lee for maintaining the unwavering stance of loving the country and the HKSAR, being willing to assume responsibilities and actively performing his duties, Xi said Lee has made contributions to safeguarding national security and Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability in various roles.

“The central authorities give full affirmation to you and have full trust in you,” Xi told Lee.

Under the new electoral system, the HKSAR has successfully held elections of the Election Committee, the seventh-term Legislative Council and the sixth-term chief executive since last year.

It has been proved that the new electoral system played a decisive role in implementing the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong,” ensuring the position of Hong Kong people as their own masters, and facilitating a good environment in which all sectors of society work together for Hong Kong’s development, Xi said.

“This is a political and democratic system that is in line with the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and suited to Hong Kong’s realities and needs for development,” Xi said. “It must be cherished and upheld for a long time to come.”

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.

Xi said he believes that the new HKSAR Government will bring new changes and Hong Kong will make new advances in its development.

Premier Li Keqiang granted the official certificate of appointment to Lee yesterday.

Lee expressed his thanks for the Central Government’s appointment, saying he will live up to the trust of the Central Government and the expectations of Hong Kong residents, fully and faithfully implement the principle of “one country, two systems” in accordance with the HKSAR Basic Law, spare no effort to strive for the development of Hong Kong, the well-being of its residents, and its long-term prosperity and stability.

(Xinhua)