Premier Li Keqiang heard the annual work report from Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on Jan 27 via video link in Beijing.

Vice-Premier Han Zheng also attended the meeting.

After hearing Lam's briefing on HKSAR's government work and epidemic control and prevention last year, Premier Li said 2020 was a challenging year for Hong Kong.

Plagued by ordinance amendment issue, COVID-19 and global economic recession, Hong Kong's economy was struggling and some industries and residents also experienced difficulties, he said.

Facing a complicated environment at home and abroad, HKSAR's government, led by Lam, made arduous efforts to control the epidemic, recover the economy, ease people's difficulties, stabilize society, seek support from the central government and promote better integration of Hong Kong into the development of the nation, he said.

The central government fully recognized Lam and the HKSAR's government’s work and achievement, Premier Li added.

Premier Li said the central government will unswervingly implement the "one country, two systems" policy and fully support Lam's law-based administrative work for the sake of Hong Kong’s long-term prosperous and stable development.

The Premier said he hopes the SAR government will carry on efforts to control the epidemic, actively respond to people's most pressing needs, work hard to improve people's livelihood, leverage Hong Kong's unique strengths and play a unique role in the country’s construction of a new development pattern.

Lam said the year 2020 is an important turning point for Hong Kong. The SAR's economy suffered a recession due to factors such as the COVID-19, yet it still ran on a normal basis, and the financial market remained stable, she added, appreciating the care and support from the central government.

In the coming year, the SAR government will continue to fight against the epidemic, work hard to recover the economy, improve people's livelihood, link national development strategies, consolidate Hong Kong’s role as an international financial, trade and shipping hub and build it into an international innovation and technology center.

State Councilor Xiao Jie and Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Xia Baolong, who is head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, also attended the meeting.