HONG KONG aEUR: Chinese President Xi Jinping defended Friday his vision of “one country, two system” against U.S., U.K., and other accusations that Beijing had undermined Hong Kong’s freedoms and autonomy for the past 50 years.
Xi spoke to mark 25 years since Hong Kong became a semi-autonomous Chinese area following the handover from Britain in 1997. He said that the “one nation, two systems” framework aEUR, which allows Hong Kong its own laws, and government, had been “universally accepted success.”
He stated, “There is no reason to change such a good system, and it must remain for a long while,” in an apparent attempt to reassure residents that Hong Kong would retain its relative freedoms after 50 years.
Xi stressed that Beijing has “comprehensive jurisdiction over Hong Kong” and that the residents of the territory must respect Chinese leadership. Beijing also allows regions such as Hong Kong and Macau to retain their capitalist system, but with a certain degree of autonomy.
He stated that foreign interference and traitors will not be tolerated in Hong Kong’s affairs and that it was essential to “safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests”.
He stated that no one in any country or region of the world will allow foreign nations or traitorous figures to take power.
Xi visited Hong Kong last year for the July 1 celebrations. He warned that any activity that could threaten China’s sovereignty or stability would not be tolerated.
China’s ruling Communist Party saw the pro-democracy protests of 2019 as a threat.
Beijing and Hong Kong authorities have drafted a new national security law since the protests. This law was used to arrest scores and thousands of democracy supporters, introduce a more patriotic curriculum in schools, and overhaul election laws to keep any opposition politicians out of the city’s Legislature. Many have left the area because of these changes.
Xi’s two day trip to Hong Kong was his first outside mainland China since January 2020 when the pandemic hit. For his arrival, security in Hong Kong has been stepped up with designated security areas and no-fly zones. Thousands of guests had to undergo daily coronavirus testing and were ordered to check in to quarantine hotels before they attended events with Xi on Thursday or Friday.
Xi officiated also the swearing in ceremony for John Lee, Hong Kong’s new leader. John Lee is a former security officer who oversaw the crackdown against dissent since the 2019 pro-democracy demonstrations. Lee pledged that he would uphold Hong Kong’s Basic Law and the city’s mini constitution. Lee also promised to be accountable for Beijing’s central government.
Lee, Carrie Lam, his predecessor and other officials attended a flag-raising ceremony aEUR”. Police officers with the Chinese and Hong Kong flags marched to Golden Bauhinia Square in the Chinese “goosestepping” style. This replaced a British-style march. As the Chinese national anthem was sung, guests stood attentively.
