President Xi Backs Carrie Lam At Shanghai Meeting

President Xi Jinping has backed Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam as the anti-government protests in Hong Kong continue into their fifth month.

The two met in Shanghai on Monday, where Lam is attending the China International Import Expo.

After hearing Lam's report on the situation in the SAR, Xi said the central government had a high degree of trust in Lam and fully acknowledged her work and that of her team.

Xi said the priority for Hong Kong was to restore order and punish those responsible for the violence. He also said there should be a dialogue with all sectors of society and that livelihoods should be improved.

Xi said he hoped people from all walks of life in Hong Kong would implement "One Country, Two Systems" and the Basic Law.

On Sunday, the SAR government unexpectedly said Lam would head to the capital on Tuesday. There, her agenda includes talks on Wednesday with Vice-Premier Han Zheng and a meeting of the group that is discussing the central government's vision for the Greater Bay Area.

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Patrick Nip is accompanying Mrs Lam. She will return to Hong Kong on Thursday.