Beijing offers support to Hong Kong leader

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday virtually rejected pro-democracy agitators’ demand for free elections in Hong Kong in 2017 and backed embattled Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying who came in for severe criticism during the recent protests in the former British colony. On a visit here after the end of the prolonged protests by thousands of people demanding that the rule brought in by China to vet candidates who would contest for the post of Chief Executive in 2017 be done away with, Leung today called on Chinese President Xi and briefed him on the state of affairs of Hong Kong.

Xi was vocal in his backing for Leung, saying that the central government “fully recognises” the work of the chief executive and his administration.