In Rare Meeting, China’s Xi Backs Carrie Lam’s Handling of Hong Kong Protests

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam and Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrive at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge at the Zhuhai Port terminal on October 23, 2018. FRED DUFOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam in Shanghai on Nov. 4, with Chinese state media reporting that Xi affirmed her administration’s performance during the nearly six months of mass protests in Hong Kong.

This is the first time Xi has met with Lam since Hongkongers began the city’s largest-ever protest movement, sparked by opposition to an extradition bill that would allow mainland China to transfer individuals from Hong Kong and stand trial in Communist Party-controlled courts.