This archive report was first published on 16 December 2019.
On December 16, 2019, China's Premier Li Keqiang met with Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam in Beijing, offering her government 'unwavering support' in the face of six months of massive pro-democracy protests.
The protests, which have seen violent battles between police and hardcore demonstrators, as well as regular transport disruption, have called for Lam to stand down as leader.
However, Li Keqiang said Beijing would give 'unwavering support' to her government to maintain the 'long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.'
"The central government fully recognises the efforts you and the SAR government have paid," Li said, according to a statement from the Chinese government.
He acknowledged that Lam's government had 'tried its best to maintain social stability' amid 'an unprecedentedly severe and complicated situation.'
But he also called for the Hong Kong government to 'step up studies of the deep-seated conflicts and problems that hinder Hong Kong's economic and social development' in order to restore calm to the city.
"Hong Kong is yet to get out of its plight. The SAR government must continue its hard work, stop violence and subdue chaos according to laws and restore order," Li told Lam.
