Hong Kong — China’s leader Xi Jinping celebrated the 25th anniversary Hong Kong’s return with a speech on Friday. He emphasized Beijing’s complete control over the former British colony, under his vision for the “one nation, two systems” framework. This countered criticisms that the promised civic and political freedoms for the next quarter century have been virtually erased by Chinese rule. Xi praised Hong Kong for overcoming “violent socio-economic unrest.” This refers to the 2019 pro-democracy protest that was followed by a Beijing-led crackdown. It has snuffed out dissent, shut down independent media, and aligned Hong Kong with tighter controls under China’s ruling Communist Party.
Xi warned Hong Kong that foreign interference and traitors will not be tolerated. He stated that the top priority is “safeguarding national sovereignty and security as well as development interests”.
“Nobody will allow foreign countries, or even traitorous figures and forces to take power in any country or region of the world,” Xi stated. He also said that Hong Kong’s stability can only be ensured by having patriots governing it.
He stated that the framework which promised Hong Kong its own laws, government and governance for 50 years following the 1997 British handover was still a good system that must be “maintained for a long period of time.” He also stated that Beijing has “comprehensive jurisdiction over Hong Kong” and that Hong Kong should recognize Chinese leadership, even though Beijing allows areas like Hong Kong and Macao to retain their capitalist system. Xi stated that Hong Kong had “moved forward steadily” since the return to its motherland. Hong Kong has made great strides regardless of the international financial crisis, coronavirus pandemic, or violent social unrest.
Authorities have used a broad national security law to arrest scores activists, media personalities, and supporters of democracy since the 2019 protests. They created a “patriotic” curriculum for schools and rewrote election laws to prevent opposition politicians from being elected. Many have left the city because of these changes, which have virtually eliminated any dissenting voices. China’s Communist Party, it believes, has restored stability to a city once beset by protests that were seen as a threat to its rule. Xi has eroded the freedoms and ways of life that have distinguished the city, which was largely based on mainland China, and turned it into a global financial and trade center.
Adrienne Watson, spokeswoman for the U.S. National Security Council, stated in a statement that the destruction of Hong Kong’s democratic institutions, the pressures on the judiciary, tightening control of academic and press freedoms, and the dissolution of civil society groups, had “undermined fundamental liberties to maintain global stability.” She stated that China’s policies towards Hong Kong, which include the implementation of the National Security Law, had “shaken the institutions and rules that had been the foundation of international trust in Hong Kong.” Watson stated that the PRC should comply with international obligations it has accepted.
Xi’s two day trip to Hong Kong was his first outside mainland China since January 2020 when the pandemic hit. He last visited Hong Kong in 2017 to celebrate the handover. For his arrival, security in Hong Kong was 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. John Lee, a former security officer who oversaw the crackdown against dissent, was also swearing in by Xi. Lee pledged that he would uphold Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, and to allegiance to Hong Kong. Lee also promised to hold Beijing’s central government accountable.
Lee stated that Hong Kong will make a significant transition from governance to prosperity in the next five years.
He previously stated that he would enact Article 23 within the city’s Basic Law. This local legislation is intended to protect the Chinese government from acts that could threaten its national security. It includes secession, treason and subversion as well as foreign collusion. After massive protests in 2003, a similar initiative was abandoned. Amnesty International warned Lee’s plans for cybersecurity and state secrets legislation would likely “mirror similar laws on mainland China.” Erwin van der Borght, the Asia-Pacific regional director of Amnesty International said that “the extremely broad definitions of such laws facilitates arbitrarily enforcement, which is a fact that creates even more uncertainty and fear in Hong Kong.” Lee, his predecessor Carrie Lam, and other officials, but not Xi, attended a morning flag-raising ceremony. Police officers carrying the Chinese flag and the Hong Kong flag marched into Golden Bauhinia Square with the Chinese “goosestepping” style. This replaced a British-style march. As the Chinese national anthem was being played, guests stood attentively.
