President Xi backs embattled Carrie Lam

The Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, gave a public endorsement of Hong Kong’s chief executive, his most direct comments yet on the 22-week-long protest movement in the territory.

“The central leadership has high confidence in you,” Mr. Xi said, praising Mrs. Lam’s efforts at “halting the violence and restoring order” as the two met Monday night in Shanghai, according to Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency.

At the same time, Mr. Xi reminded Mrs. Lam of Beijing’s support for a stern approach to the protests, which have grown increasingly violent in the face of heavy-handed policing.

Context: Mrs. Lam’s political future depends, in part, on the effective blessing of the Chinese leader — particularly amid persistent rumors that he would pressure her to step down after the protests subside.