China’s President Xi Jinping gives a speech in Hong Kong
(Picture: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Xi Jinping has defended China against accusations that it is undermining freedoms promised to Hong Kong since its handover 25 years ago.
Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, with Beijing promising autonomy, certain rights and judicial independence, at least until 2047.
However, recent years have seen a crackdown by authorities with a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing on the city in 2020 in the aftermath of mass pro-democracy protests the year before.
In a speech marking 25 years since the handover, the Chinese president said the “one country, two systems” framework had achieved “universally recognised success” and insisted it was here to stay.
He said: “There is no reason for such a good system to change, and it must be maintained for a long time”.
However, he also emphasised that Beijing had “comprehensive jurisdiction” over Hong Kong, and said that Hong Kong should respect Chinese leadership.
He warned that there would be no tolerance for foreign interference in Hong Kong’s affairs, and that “safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests" is of the highest priority.”
“Nobody in any country or region in the world will allow foreign countries or even traitorous forces and figures to seize power," he said.
Xi last visited Hong Kong in 2017 for the July 1 celebrations, during which he warned that there would be no tolerance for any activities seen as threatening China’s sovereignty.
Since the pro-democracy protests in 2019, Beijing and Hong Kong authorities have used a sweeping national security law to arrest scores of activists, media figures and democracy supporters.
Election laws have also been changed to keep opposition politicians who are deemed not patriotic enough out of the city’s legislature to further crack down on dissent.
Xi’s two-day trip to Hong Kong is his first outside of mainland China since the pandemic.
Security in Hong Kong has been beefed up for his arrival, with designated security and no-fly zones.
Thousands of guests were required to take daily coronavirus tests and ordered to check into quarantine hotels ahead of their attendance of events with Xi on Thursday and Friday.
A morning flag-raising ceremony was attended by Hong Kong’s new leader, John Lee, his predecessor Carrie Lam and other officials but not Mr Xi.
Police officers carrying the Chinese and Hong Kong flags marched into Golden Bauhinia Square for the ceremony while guests stood at attention as the Chinese national anthem was played.
