The Standards: Carrie Lam wins praise in Xi Jinping parting gift

The Standards: Carrie Lam wins praise in Xi Jinping parting gift by Jane Cheung on Jul 1 2022

Beijing fully recognizes the hard work and effort of outgoing Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor over the past five years in steering the city from chaos to order, President Xi Jinping said.

In a meeting with Lam on her last day of tenure, Xi told Lam that with Beijing’s firm support, she had carried out her constitutional responsibility as chief executive in a loyal manner, Xinhua News Agency quoted him as saying.

Xi said she had adhered to the implementation of one country, two systems and the Basic Law and led the SAR in accordance with the law.

Lam united sectors across the community in stopping unrest and battling Covid, while blending into the national development plan, he said.

There was also praise for her efforts in introducing the “patriots-only” electoral system and in safeguarding China’s sovereignty, national security and development, as well as the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

“You’ve steered Hong Kong in achieving a key turnaround from chaos to order. You’ve done a lot of tough work and made major contributions. You’ve shown courage and accountability,” Xi said.

“What you’ve done in the past five years is fully recognized by the central government.”

Xi hoped Lam will continue to support her successor John Lee Ka-chiu and the new government, and keep on making contributions to Hong Kong and the country.

Lam thanked Xi for coming for the handover anniversary events despite the threat posed by the by the pandemic. “This clearly demonstrates President Xi Jinping’s kind attention to Hong Kong people,” she said.

The past five years were extraordinary for Hong Kong, but she was honored to be able to contribute to the execution of one country, two systems, Lam said.

Xi attended a closed-door banquet hosted by Lam at her official residence. Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, arrived at Government House at 7.45 pm. To minimize Covid transmission risks, the banquet was attended only by the Xis, the Lams and incoming Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and his wife.

In the afternoon Xi attended a meet-and-greet session with 160 heavyweights from different sectors, including officials, heads of disciplinary forces, tycoons, businessmen, chamber representatives, university chiefs and church leaders at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Accompanied by Lam and Lee, sources said Xi showed up for less than 10 minutes, during which he waved at the big guns and took group photos with them.

The director of Lam’s chief executive office and new Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, who was diagnosed with Covid last week, was present but constitutional and mainland affairs secretary, Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, who was also infected last week, was absent.