The Chinese president was in Hong Kong this Friday morning July 1 to open the ceremonies of the 25th anniversary of the handover of the city to China. After Hong Kong was brought to heel, Xi Jinping reiterated that the principle ” one country, two systems was to continue.
With our correspondent in Beijing, Stephane Lagarde
A little over an hour and a half of ceremony, under the red and gold flags of popular China, as well as the red with white flower of bauhinias, symbol of the city. Decor and speech intend to demonstrate the durability of a certain autonomy of Hong Kong, an exception that has been swept away since 2020 and the establishment of national security law imposed by Beijing, described as draconian by opponents. These were kept away.
According to Reuters, journalists from seven outlets were also barred from cover the event. In front of an audience made up of the pro-Beijing elite, after removing his white mask stamped with the red number of the 25th anniversary, Xi Jinping took the floor to defend the principle negotiated with the British in 1997. so good system said the Chinese president.
“ After the wind and the rain, the people of Hong Kong understood that the city could not sink further into chaos. (…) We hope Hong Kong compatriots will vigorously uphold patriotism and love for Hong Kong, as well as common values consistent with the “one country, two systems” policy. “, did he declare.
Pacing
Xi Jinping had not returned to Hong Kong since 20th anniversary of the handover, five years ago. It is also his first outing from mainland China in 900 days, this return celebrates the bringing to heel of the special administrative region, faced with the “chaos” of the 2019 eventswhere a majority of Hong Kongers had opposed Chinese rule.
” One country, two systems but with Chinese characteristics. The Chinese number one also attended the renewal of the Hong Kong executive and the swearing in of John Lee. The new chief executive then lowered his head in front of the Chinese number one to greet him. The same goes for all the members of the Hong Kong government, all described as ” patriots by Beijing.
Recent reforms to the voting system aimed at ensuring that only “the patriots can appear before voters have been strongly criticized by defenders of freedoms in Hong Kong, but also by many foreign capitals. Before resuming his train for the mainland, Xi Jinping again defended this decision “ essential to the safeguard and stability of Hong Kong in the long term and which stifles any form of protest.
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