Shanghai | China’s president Xi Jinping has formally backed Hong Kong’s embattled leader Carrie Lam during a meeting in Shanghai, ending speculation she was planning to step down after failing to end mass protests which have rocked the city for more than five months.

Chinese state media on Tuesday carried images of Mr Xi shaking hands with a smiling Ms Lam this week. The president was quoted saying he had a “high degree of confidence” in the Hong Kong chief executive, who has been the main target of the protest movement’s anger.