Image: Reuters Berita 24 English - After swearing in the city's new leader, John Lee, on Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed ...
 |
| Image: Reuters |
Berita 24 English - After swearing in the city's new leader, John Lee, on Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed on a rare visit to the global financial centre that there is no reason to alter Hong Kong's "one nation, two systems" model of administration.
On July 1, 1997, Britain handed Hong Kong back to China, with Beijing promising broad autonomy, unrestricted individual rights, and judicial independence at least until 2047.
With a broad national security ordinance imposed on the city by Beijing in 2020 in the wake of significant pro-democracy riots the year before, Beijing is accused by critics of China, particularly Western nations, of trampling on those liberties.
The claims are rejected by China and Hong Kong, who claim that the law "established order from disorder" so that the city could thrive.
The "one nation, two systems" tenet would continue to be followed, according to Xi, who also claimed that the security law was advantageous for the "democratic rights" of city people.
"There is absolutely no need to modify such a terrific system. Long-term maintenance is necessary "said Xi.
All officials, including Xi, were required to wear masks and to stand at least one metre apart throughout the swearing-in ceremonies. They didn't exchange handshakes.
The United States has sanctioned former security chief Lee for his involvement in putting the security law into effect, and he takes office at a time when the city is experiencing a talent and population drain despite some of the strictest COVID-19 regulations in the world.
Around the gorgeous Victoria Harbour, where the last British governor, Chris Patten, somberly returned Hong Kong to China in a rain-drenched ceremony in 1997, authorities deployed a sizable security force, closing roads and restricting airspace.
Near the convention centre, major thoroughfares and sidewalks were decked with red lanterns and signs heralding a "new age" of stability.
Xi reportedly spent the night in Shenzhen after arriving in Hong Kong on Thursday, so he did not attend the customary flag-raising rituals on Friday.
Xi's visit to Hong Kong marks the first time he has been there since 2017, when he installed Carrie Lam as the city's first female leader. Lam presided over some of the most turbulent moments in the territory, including the COVID outbreak and anti-government protests in 2019.
Xi spent his entire journey five years ago in Hong Kong. It has not been officially established where he spent the night this time or why he could have selected Shenzhen.
On Thursday, Hong Kong reported more than 2,000 COVID instances per day, levels that would warrant very harsh controls in any mainland metropolis. China is the only large nation to decide to eradicate any outbreak as soon as it starts, essentially at any cost.
Great Restoration
After Beijing reinforced its authority over Hong Kong, some experts see Xi's visit as a victory tour. Xi claimed the city had overcome its difficulties and "risen from the ashes" after his arrival on Thursday.
The nationalist tabloid Global Times, which is published by the official People's Daily of the ruling Communist Party, stated in an editorial that "What happened over the past 25 years has proven that the future and destiny of Hong Kong must be in the hands of the patriots who would cry proudly for being Chinese." The Chinese nation is experiencing a huge renewal that cannot be stopped, and Hong Kong's future will be even more promising.
Five years prior to Xi's visit, tens of thousands of protesters marched, and July 1 had long been a day for Hong Kong residents to air their frustrations.
This time, there are no protests since the most vocal opposition leaders and democracy campaigners are either incarcerated or living in exile.
"There is just one dominant voice in the city as all others are silenced. Because of the loss of its political diversity and freedom of expression, it is quiet and "harmonious," "fighter for democracy Nathan Law, who left Hong Kong, stated in a tweet. The phrase "one country, two systems" has failed, not succeeded.
