China’s President Xi Jinping underlined his commitment to “one country, two systems” as he arrived in Hong Kong to mark two decades of Chinese rule in the former British territory.
“For the past 20 years, Hong Kong has always had the strong backing of the central government,” Xi said as he addressed crowds at the city’s airport.
It’s Xi’s first visit to the Chinese special administrative region, and one that is expected by dogged by protests and a huge annual pro-democracy rally to mark the day when Hong Kong was handed over to Chinese rule.
From the tarmac, Xi encouraged Hong Kongers to “look forward to the future, making sure ‘one country, two systems’ can work smoothly and continue,” referring to the principle by which Hong Kong retains limited autonomy and freedoms.
Xi said the 20th anniversary of the city’s handover from the UK to China on July 1 is a huge event “for the country, and for Hong Kong.”
Welcoming Xi
Huge banners have been placed over the highway Xi will take to the city, welcoming him for his “official inspection” and celebrating “20 years of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.”
Chinese and Hong Kong flags have also been hung from windows and buildings, though critics of Beijing have taken angrily to social media to denounce the displays.
Protesters have said they will target Xi at all of his engagements, though it remains to be seen how close they will be able to get to the Chinese leader.
Late Wednesday, two dozens activists, including former “Umbrella Movement” leader Joshua Wong were arrested after they stormed a public square where Xi will appear later this week. Police can hold Wong for 48 hours before charging him.
Huge security operation
Much of Wan Chai, a bustling business district in the city center where Xi will stay, is on partial lockdown, with 300, 2-ton barricades erected on roads around the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The venue will host many events marking the city’s handover from the UK to China.
Around 11,000 of the city’s 29,000 police officers will be involved in security arrangements for Xi’s visit, according to the South China Morning Post.
During a visit last year by Zhang Dejiang, the third-highest ranked Chinese leader, sidewalks were glued down in key areas to prevent protesters from breaking them up and using them as missiles.
Local media reported this week that police were under instructions to prevent banners and signs that might “embarrass” Xi from appearing within his eyesight.
Barriers were also briefly erected around a statue of Queen Victoria in a central Hong Kong park named for the long-reigning British monarch, but they were removed after complaints.
Events and celebrations
While in Hong Kong, Xi will spend little time anywhere near the public.
On Thursday evening, he is expected to have dinner with Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung and his successor, Carrie Lam, whom Xi will swear in on Saturday.
Shortly after she arrived on Thursday, Xi’s wife Peng Liyuan made a visit to a Hong Kong kindergarten, where she watched student performances and talked to the children, according to a Hong Kong government press release.
Peng was presented by the students with a fan covered in hand-painted pandas.
Xi is expected to visit a People’s Liberation Army base on Friday. Until recently, China’s military has kept a low profile in Hong Kong but this looks to be changing.
Beijing is also sending its prized aircraft carrier to Hong Kong for the celebrations — a show of military might not seen since it made the territory a special administrative region in 1997.
An elaborate celebratory gala will be held Friday evening at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, attended by Xi, Leung, Lam and other dignitaries.
Protests are expected outside the event, and at a separate rally by pro-Hong Kong independence activists, who have called for their supporters to gather together and “crush Chinese colonialism.”
Xi will leave the city on Saturday after swearing in Lam and attending a flag-raising ceremony to mark the 20 years since China assumed sovereignty over Hong Kong.
Attention will then turn to the annual July 1 pro-democracy march, which organizers expect to attract hundreds of thousands of people.