China’s Xi discusses Hong Kong, Macao affairs with chief executives

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Tuesday with the chief executives of Hong Kong and Macao in Beijing to discuss the affairs of the two special administrative regions, according to state media.

Xi met Hong Kong’s chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who briefed the president on the city’s current situation and the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, state media reported.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed back to China in 1997 under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework.

Xi also met Macao’s chief executive Sam Hou-fai, according to China’s official news agency Xinhua.

During the meeting, Sam briefed Xi on Macao’s current situation and the work of the Macao Special Administrative Region government, Xinhua said.

Macao, a former Portuguese colony, was returned to China in 1999 and became a special administrative region under the same framework.