Xi Jinping arrives in Hong Kong for July 1 celebrations, makes first visit to city since 2017
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has arrived in Hong Kong to mark the city’s 25th anniversary of its Handover from Britain to China.
The train carrying Xi and his wife pulled into West Kowloon Station on Thursday, greeted by chants of “welcome, welcome, warmly welcome” by revellers waving national and Hong Kong flags.
Banners hung from the ceiling and held up by attendees read “warmly welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to celebrate Hong Kong’s 25th Handover anniversary and the inauguration of the sixth-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.”
“In this five years, I have been concerned about and missing Hong Kong,” Xi said.
“Recently, Hong Kong has withstood serious tests and overcome risks and challenges one after another. Following the storms, Hong Kong was reborn… fully showing the strong vitality of [the] One Country, Two Systems framework,” he said.
The framework, he added, ensures Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability.
“As long as we unswervingly adhere to One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong’s future will only be more beautiful,” he added.
The days leading up to his visit were peppered with uncertainty over whether Xi would physically come to Hong Kong – the government said only that he would attend celebrations, but did not confirm whether he would come in person.
Two-day visit
Xi is expected to meet government officials, including the current and incoming Principal Officials and Executive Council members, at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. He will then reportedly tour Science Park in Sha Tin, which was closed off earlier on Thursday to accommodate his visit.
According to RTHK, police officers were deployed to Science Park – where cordons and barricades had been set up – to guard entrances and exits. Some officers patrolled the area on bicycles.
A dinner banquet expected to be held at Government House, where Chief Executive Carrie Lam lives, was cancelled due to Covid-19, Sing Tao reported.
A Hong Kong government statement said Lee and senior government officials would attend a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the Handover on Friday. It did not mention whether Xi would attend.
Local media have reported that Xi will not stay in the city overnight, and instead will take the high speed railway to neighbouring Shenzhen before returning to Hong Kong tomorrow.
Heightened security
Hong Kong police have ramped up security ahead of Xi’s expected visit, with officers deployed on standby outside the Convention and Exhibition Centre and West Kowloon Station.
The Exhibition Centre MTR station will also be shut down on Thursday and Friday, while over 50 bus routes terminating at or passing through the area will be diverted.
Police will provide a motorcade escort and personal protection for Xi. The force was “duty-bound” to ensure the Chinese leader’s personal safety and security, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, Lui Kam-ho said on Tuesday.
Related articles
Twyla Tharp dance will open 700
NEW YORK (AP) — The 700-seat amphitheater at Little Island, a park in Manhattan built above the Huds2024-05-07Georgia tabs Cecile Landi, Simone Biles' longtime coach, as co
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia has hired Cecile Canqueteau-Landi, a longtime personal coach of Olympic g2024-05-07‘The movement will persist’: Advocates stress Weinstein reversal doesn’t derail #MeToo reckoning
NEW YORK (AP) — #MeToo founder Tarana Burke has heard it before. Every time there’s a legal setback,2024-05-07Magic hand Cavaliers worst playoff loss in franchise history, win 121
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — After never even having a lead in Cleveland, the Orlando Magic came back with t2024-05-07The family of Irvo Otieno criticizes move to withdraw murder charges against 5 deputies
A Virginia judge has signed off on a prosecutor’s request to withdraw charges against five more peop2024-05-07As some universities negotiate with pro
The students at an encampment at Columbia University who inspired a wave of pro-Palestinian demonstr2024-05-07
atest comment