Hong Kong’s leader has three pressing challenges following his duty visit to Beijing, observers have said – fostering social unity, promoting innovative decision-making and balancing the government budget.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu ended his trip to the capital on Saturday after meeting President Xi Jinping the previous day to report on Hong Kong developments.
Xi affirmed support for the chief executive to “unite all sectors in society to seek reforms” and promote economic prosperity through “innovation”.
“Unity is now an issue within the establishment, but it is not something Lee can personally control,” veteran China watcher Johnny Lau Yui-siu said.
“Therefore, what Xi Jinping said about uniting all sectors of society is to a certain extent directional advice, not an accusation.”
