Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said Monday that the immediate priority for HKSAR is to end violence and restore order.
Lam made the remarks at a press conference after meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing.
Lam said she has briefed the two leaders on the city's unrest. "This year is of course a rather special one because in the last six months Hong Kong has been haunted by social unrest, disturbances and violence acts," she said. "So I spent a bit more time to give them an account of where things stand."
Lam said she believed the level of violence embroiling the city and the number of "rioters" were decreasing.
She said Hong Kong economy has been badly hit and the SAR government has rolled out many relief measures to support businesses.
Lam added the central government had pledged to continue to offer favorable economic policies and its full support, including development in the Greater Bay Area in Guangdong Province adjoining the city.
During the president's meeting with Lam, Xi said he recognized Lam's courage in governing in these "most difficult" times. Lam said she was encouraged by the president's recognition.
Lam said Xi has made the appeal that residents from all walks of life in Hong Kong should be united and bring Hong Kong back to normal.
Lam vowed to continue to firmly implement "One Country, Two Systems" principle, and safeguard Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.
The Hong Kong leader is currently in Beijing for a duty visit from December 14 to 17.
