Hong Kong Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung said on Tuesday the Special Administrative Region (SAR) government thanks the central government for its support, after Chief Executive Carrie Lam met with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on Monday.

Xi told Lam that Hong Kong is facing the most difficult period since it returned to the motherland and the central government fully recognizes the courage and assumption of responsibility Lam's government has displayed in these exceptional times.

The Chinese president also recognized the SAR government and police's efforts to stop violence and restore order and stressed the central government's firm support to the SAR government and police forces in upholding the rule of law.

Lam was in Beijing for a duty visit. She is expected to return to Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Cheung told reporters at a regular briefing that restoring peace remains the top priority of the SAR government, alongside measures to boost the economy and reduce unemployment.

He also expressed regret following Sunday's violence in Hong Kong, saying the government will continue to work to address the root causes of the disorder.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)