China’s Xi Signals More Hong Kong Curbs With Call for ‘Patriots’
- President tells Lam loyalty among officials is ‘fundamental’
- Remarks come as Chinese lawmakers discuss election changes
Xi Jinping
Photographer: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
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Chinese President Xi Jinping said that Hong Kong must be governed by “patriots,” in the latest sign of Beijing’s focus on tightening control over the semi-autonomous Asian financial center.
Xi told Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, whose term expires next year, that having loyal leaders was the only way to ensure the city’s stability, state media said. During the video conference Wednesday, the Chinese president also offered some of his strongest praise yet for the unpopular Lam, crediting her with “stopping violence and chaos in accordance with the law and working to bring Hong Kong back on track.”