In Hong Kong, Xi says 'one country, two systems' is here to stay (updated)

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01/07/2022 01:30

* Xi says Hong Kong to maintain "one country, two systems"
    * Critics say Beijing has curtailed city's autonomy
    * New leader John Lee sworn in; replaces Carrie Lam

 (Adds more Xi quotes, activist, background)
    By Meg Shen and James Pomfret
    HONG KONG, July 1 (Reuters) - There is no reason to change
Hong Kong's "one country, two systems" formula of governance,
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on a rare visit to the global
financial hub after swearing in the city's new leader, John Lee,
on Friday.
    Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997,
with Beijing promising wide-ranging autonomy, unfettered
individual rights and judicial independence at least until 2047.
    China's critics accuse authorities of trampling on those
freedoms, unavailable on the authoritarian mainland, with a
sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing on the city in
2020 after mass pro-democracy protests the year before.
    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. Secretary of
State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that China had failed to
meet its handover commitments.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2YH24X
    China and Hong Kong reject the accusations, saying the law
"restored order from chaos" so that the city could prosper.
    Xi said the "one country, two systems" formula was
successful under China's "comprehensive jurisdiction."
    "For this kind of good system, there is no reason at all to
change it. It must be maintained over the long term," Xi said.
    "After experiencing wind and rain, everyone can painfully
feel that Hong Kong cannot be chaotic, and must not become
chaotic again ... Hong Kong’s development cannot be delayed
again, and any interference must be eliminated."
    Xi added China would support Hong Kong's role as an
international finance and trade hub.
    At the swearing-in ceremonies, all officials, including Xi,
wore masks and did not shake hands. 
    Former police officer Lee, sanctioned by Washington over his
role in implementing the security law, takes charge as the city
is facing an exodus of people and talent amid some of the
toughest COVID-19 restrictions in the world.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2YE0D6
    Authorities deployed a massive security force, blocking
roads and the airspace around the picturesque Victoria Harbour,
where the last colonial governor, Chris Patten, tearfully handed
Hong Kong back to China at a rain-drenched ceremony in 1997.
    Red lanterns, Chinese and Hong Kong flags, and posters
declaring a "new era" of stability decorated districts across
the city.
    Xi did not attend the traditional flag-raising ceremonies on
Friday, with media reporting he stayed overnight across the
border in Shenzhen after arriving in Hong Kong on Thursday. 
    Xi's visit to Hong Kong is his first since 2017, when he
swore in outgoing leader Carrie Lam and stayed in the city for
the duration of his trip. His overnight whereabouts this time,
and the reasons why he may have chosen Shenzhen, have not been
officially confirmed.
    Hong Kong recorded more than 2,000 daily COVID cases on
Thursday, levels which would prompt tight restrictions in any
mainland city. China is alone among major countries in choosing
to eliminate outbreaks as soon as they occur, at all costs.
    
    'GREAT REJUVENATION'
    Some analysts see Xi's visit as a victory tour after Beijing
tightened its control of Hong Kong. After arriving in the city
on Thursday, Xi said the city had overcome its challenges and
"risen from the ashes".  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2YH0E0     
    "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," nationalist
tabloid Global Times, published by the Communist Party's
official People's Daily, wrote in an editorial. "The great
rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is irreversible and Hong
Kong's tomorrow will be even brighter."
    The handover anniversary has traditionally seen thousands
march to voice grievances over everything from sky-high property
prices to Beijing's grip over the city, including during Xi's
last trip to Hong Kong.
    On July 1, 2019, during the anti-government protests,
demonstrators stormed and ransacked the city's legislature.  
    No protests are taking place this time, with the most
outspoken opposition politicians and democracy activists either
in jail or self-exile.
    "It is the end of an era, it is the end of 'one country, two
systems," exiled Hong Kong activist Samuel Chu told Reuters from
Oslo, Norway. "This is a city that is no longer recognizable."

    <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
QUOTES-As Hong Kong marks 25 years since handover, people
discuss highs and lows     urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2YA0J7
EXPLAINER-Hong Kong's rocky political road since the 1997
handover     urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2YA1WE
FACTBOX-Major finance milestones as Hong Kong marks 25 years
since handover     urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2YA283
GRAPHIC-The transformation of Hong Kong in five charts   
 urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N2YE0DX
Business leaders say new Hong Kong chief must open up city,
rebuild its image     urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2YG1ON
FACTBOX-Hong Kong's new cabinet to focus on national security   
 urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2Y70HH
Freedom has 'vanished', Taiwan says on Hong Kong anniversary   
 urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2YI0EK
UK PM says China must be held to commitments made on Hong Kong  
  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2YH24X
Some media blocked from covering Xi's handover anniversary visit
to Hong Kong     urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2YF2CC
NEWSMAKER-Enforcer of Hong Kong security law sworn in as city's
new leader     urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2YE0D6
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 (Additional reporting by Anne Marie Roantree and Hong Kong
bureau; Writing by Marius Zaharia; Editing by Lincoln Feast and
Gerry Doyle)
 ((annemarie.roantree@thomsonreuters.com; +852 97387151; Reuters
Messaging: annemarie.roantree.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))