Chinese President Xi Jinping and new Hong Kong CEO John Lee at the swearing-in ceremony on July 1, 2022. In his first trip outside the mainland since the Covid-19 hit, Mr. Xi presided over the ceremony.
Justin Chin | Bloomberg | beautiful pictures
BEIJING – President of China Xi Jinping on Friday set out a future for Hong Kong, tied to the goals of the central government in the mainland.
“Now, Hong Kong is at a new stage of transitioning from chaos to governance, and then from governance to more prosperity,” Xi said at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Hong Kong chief executive. John Lee.
“The next five years will be crucial for Hong Kong to create a new foundation and launch a new take-off,” Xi said.
Mr. Xi oversaw the inauguration of Lee, a Beijing loyalist who was the only candidate for the post in an election held in May. Lee’s tenure lasted five years, and his inauguration coincided with the 25th anniversary of the city’s handover to China from British colonial rule.
The Chinese President listed in his speech “four hopes” for the semi-autonomous Hong Kong: Better governance, stronger development, improved living standards for ordinary people, and greater satisfaction. overall harmony.
Mr. Xi’s trip to Hong Kong marks his first trip outside of mainland China since the pandemic began.
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