Chinese President Xi Jinping said Hong Kong had been “reborn from the fire” as he arrived yesterday to mark the 25th anniversary of the city’s handover, in his first visit since the business hub’s democracy movement was crushed.
Xi’s trip is a chance for the Chinese Communist Party to showcase its control after huge protests engulfed the city in 2019, prompting Beijing to impose a harsh crackdown.
“In the past period, Hong Kong has experienced more than one serious test, and overcome more than one risk and challenge,” Xi said after arriving at a high-speed train station in the heart of the city.
“After the storms, Hong Kong has been reborn from the fire and emerged with robust vitality.”
Today’s anniversary also marks the halfway point of the 50-year governance model agreed by Britain and China under which the city would keep some autonomy and freedoms.
Xi said yesterday “the facts have proved that One Country, Two Systems has great vitality”.
“It can guarantee long-term stability and prosperity in Hong Kong, and defend the well-being of Hong Kong people,” he added.
Xi’s visit is the first time he has left mainland China since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
Accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, he was greeted at the station by schoolchildren waving flags and bouquets of flowers and chanting “Welcome, welcome!” in Mandarin.
Officials including outgoing city leader Carrie Lam and her successor John Lee were present, as well as lion dancers and select accredited media.
Details around the trip have been kept tightly under wraps, and the visit has sparked a massive security effort.
There are large-scale road closures on Hong Kong Island, and the flying of drones has been temporarily banned throughout the entire city, with police citing security concerns.
Those coming into Xi’s orbit during the trip have been made to limit their social contacts, take daily PCR tests and check into a quarantine hotel in the days leading up to the visit.
After arriving, Xi met with business and political elites, while Peng, a former celebrity singer, visited a Chinese opera theatre.
Peng and Xi are expected to leave Hong Kong to spend the night in neighbouring Shenzhen on the mainland before returning in the morning for the handover celebration and Lee’s inauguration.
Media coverage has been tightly restricted.