Chinese President Xi Jinping makes waves after his speech following the inauguration of the city’s new government in Hong Kong on Friday, July 1, 2022, on the 25th anniversary of the city’s handover from England for China.
Selim Chtayti / AP
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Selim Chtayti / AP
Chinese President Xi Jinping makes waves after his speech following the inauguration of the city’s new government in Hong Kong on Friday, July 1, 2022, on the 25th anniversary of the city’s handover from England for China.
Selim Chtayti / AP
HONG KONG – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday defended his vision of a “one country, two systems” framework against accusations by the United States, Britain and others that Beijing has undermined freedoms and autonomy promised to Hong Kong for 50 years.
In a speech marking 25 years since the city became a semi-autonomous Chinese region after it was handed over by Britain in 1997, Mr. Xi said the framework was “one country, two systems”. – allowing Hong Kong to have its own laws and government – achieved. “widely recognized success.”
“There is no reason for such a good system to change, and it must be maintained for a long time, in an effort to reassure people that Hong Kong can maintain their rights,” he said. their relative freedom after 50 years.
But Xi also stressed that Beijing has “comprehensive jurisdiction” over Hong Kong and that the territory’s residents should respect China’s leadership, even if Beijing allows regions like Hong Kong and Macau maintain their capitalist systems and a degree of autonomy.
He warned that there would be no tolerance for foreign interference or traitors to interfere in Hong Kong’s affairs and that the top priority was “to protect national sovereignty, security and interests”. development benefits”.
“No one in any country or region of the world allows foreign or even traitorous forces and figures to take power,” he said, adding that only if there are patriots By governing Hong Kong, this territory can ensure long-term stability.
Mr. Xi last visited Hong Kong in 2017 to celebrate the 1st of July, during which he warned that there would be zero tolerance for any activities deemed a threat to sovereignty and stability. Chinese regulations.
Months of pro-democracy protests in 2019 were seen by China’s ruling Communist Party as such a threat.
Since the protests, the Beijing and Hong Kong governments have drafted national security legislation, which has been used to arrest scores of activists, media figures and democracy advocates; introduce a more “patriotic” curriculum in schools; and amending election laws to keep opposition politicians deemed unpatriotic enough out of the city’s Legislature. The changes eliminated all but the dissenting voices in the territory and make many people leave.
Mr. Xi’s two-day trip to Hong Kong is his first trip outside mainland China since the pandemic hit in January 2020. Security in Hong Kong has been beefed up upon his arrival, with designated security and no-fly zones. Thousands of guests are required to take daily coronavirus tests and are asked to check quarantine hotels before they attend events with Xi on Thursday and Friday.
Mr. Xi also presided over the swearing-in of Hong Kong’s new leader John Lee, a former security official who has overseen a crackdown on dissent in the city since the protests. pro-democracy sentiment in 2019. Lee is committed to upholding the city’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, and loyalty to Hong Kong. He also pledged to be accountable to the central government in Beijing.
At the morning flag-raising ceremony – attended by Lee, his predecessor Carrie Lam and other officials but not Mr. Xi – police officers carrying Chinese and Hong Kong flags marched into Bauhinia Square Gold to celebrate with the Chinese style of “courage”, replacing an English-style march. The guests stood attentively as the Chinese national anthem played.
