President Xi Jinping on Saturday expressed confidence in new chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in leading the Asian financial hub to achieve new development.

In their meeting shortly after Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor was sworn in, Xi said he believed Lam could lead the new HKSAR government and all sectors of the Hong Kong society to score new achievements in various undertakings in Hong Kong.

As Hong Kong marks the 20th anniversary of its return to China, Xi said “great responsibilities and a glorious mission” had fallen on Lam’s shoulders.

“The Hong Kong society is placing great hopes in you, and the central government also has high expectations for you,” Xi told Lam.

He urged Lam to earnestly carry out her duty as the chief executive, implement the “one country, two systems” principle in a comprehensive and accurate manner, and safeguard the authority of the country’s Constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law.

Efforts should also be made to further develop Hong Kong’s economy, improve its people’s well-being, and maintain the region’s prosperity and stability, Xi said.

“The central government will render full support to you and the new HKSAR government to administer Hong Kong according to law and break new ground in the great cause of ‘one country, two systems,'” Xi said.

President Xi Jinping Saturday inspected major infrastructure projects in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), urging more efforts to keep and improve its competitiveness.

Xi inspected the construction site of the Hong Kong segment of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge, noting that building of the bridge is a major step of the central government to support better development of Hong Kong, Macao and the Pearl River Delta region.

It also represents an important achievement of close collaboration among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao under the “one country, two systems” framework, he added.

He urged active follow-up work on the project to ensure its smooth and safe operation after completion.

Xi also inspected the construction of the third runway at Hong Kong International Airport, saying that the central government supports the building of the runway to help Hong Kong consolidate its status as a global aviation hub and improve its overall competitiveness.

The president said that efforts must be made to ensure safe and efficient construction of the project, and maximize its benefits after completion.

Xi arrived in Hong Kong Thursday for a three-day trip to attend celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the fifth-term government of the HKSAR. He also inspected the HKSAR.

Hong Kong cannot afford to be torn apart by reckless moves or internal rift amid the intense global competition, President Xi Jinping warned Saturday.

Hong Kong is a plural society with “different views and even major differences on some specific issues,” he acknowledged.

However, “making everything political or deliberately creating differences and provoking confrontation will not resolve the problems,” Xi said. “On the contrary, it can only severely hinder Hong Kong’s economic and social development.”

“Hong Kong is an affluent society, but it also faces enormous challenges posed by profound changes in the global economic environment and the increasingly intense international competition,” he said.

Xi sounded the caution when attending a gathering here celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, and the inaugural ceremony of the fifth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

“It is imperative to always maintain a harmonious and stable social environment,” he said, noting that “harmony brings good fortune, while discord leads to misfortune.”

The concept of “one country, two systems” gives expression to the vision of peace and harmony in the Chinese culture, and it embodies a very important tenet, namely, seeking broad common ground while setting aside major differences, Xi said.

“On the part of the central government, we are ready to talk to anyone who loves the country, loves Hong Kong and genuinely supports the principle of ‘one country, two systems’ and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, no matter what political views or position he or she may hold.”

President Xi Jinping Saturday drew the “red line” for handling relations between the mainland and Hong Kong, warning against attempts to undermine national sovereignty or challenge the central government’s power.

“Any attempt to endanger national sovereignty and security, challenge the power of the central government and the authority of the Basic Law of the HKSAR or use Hong Kong to carry out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is an act that crosses the red line, and is absolutely impermissible,” he said.

Xi made the remarks at a gathering celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the fifth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

President Xi Jinping has said the People’s Liberation Army garrison stationed in Hong Kong should resolutely champion state sovereignty, security and interests regarding the country’s development, and ensure Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.

Xi made the remarks after inspecting the garrison at the PLA’s Shek Kong barracks in Hong Kong on Friday, the eve of the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China.

The PLA has had a garrison in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region since the former British colony was handed over to China in 1997.

More than 3,100 officers and soldiers and over 100 pieces of military equipment took part in the review by Xi, who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

After the review, Xi received briefings by the garrison and said it should be navigated with the goal to reinforce the PLA, and its works should be strengthened in every aspect at a new starting point.

In the past 20 years, the garrison has strictly lived up to instructions of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, and has fully honored the “one country, two systems” principle as well as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Basic Law and Garrison Law, Xi said.

“The (PLA) garrison is an important embodiment of national sovereignty, an important force to safeguard ‘one country, two systems’, and an important cornerstone of Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability,” he said.

It should beef up its political awareness and its consciousness of political power and the big picture, and strengthen its sense of duty about ensuring “one country, two systems”, Xi added.

The garrison should also remain alert and effectively maintain combat readiness, he said.

Earlier in June, Xi had conferred an honorary title on a special operation force under a brigade of the Hong Kong garrison.

Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and chief executive of the HKSAR, said in a recent interview with China Central Television that the garrison “has won widespread rapport and support by the Hong Kong public”.