Chinese language President Xi Jinping on Friday defended his imaginative and prescient of the “one nation, two programs" framework towards accusations by the US, UK and others that Beijing has undermined the freedoms and autonomy promised to Hong Kong for 50 years.
In a speech marking 25 years because the metropolis turned a semi-autonomous Chinese language area following its handover from Britain in 1997, Xi mentioned the “one nation, two programs” framework — which permits Hong Kong to have its personal legal guidelines and authorities — had achieved “universally recognised success.”
“There isn't any motive for such a superb system to alter, and it have to be maintained for a very long time,” he mentioned.
However Xi additionally emphasised that Beijing had “complete jurisdiction” over Hong Kong, and that Hong Kong ought to respect Chinese language management.
He warned that there could be no tolerance for overseas interference or traitors to meddle in Hong Kong's affairs, and that “safeguarding nationwide sovereignty, safety and growth pursuits” is of the best precedence.
“No one in any nation or area on this planet will enable overseas nations and even traitorous forces and figures to grab energy,” he mentioned, including that solely by having patriots governing Hong Kong, can Hong Kong guarantee long-term stability.
For a few of China's critics, Xi's claims that the governing framework agreed in 1997 is being upheld bear no relation to actuality.
"It's the finish of an period, it's the finish of 'one nation, two programs'," exiled Hong Kong activist Samuel Chu instructed Reuters from Oslo, Norway. "It is a metropolis that's not recognisable."
Not like the pro-democracy protests of 2019, there have been no demonstrations this time, with probably the most outspoken opposition politicians and democracy activists both in jail or self-exile.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson accused China on Thursday of failing to adjust to the 1997 settlement, and mentioned Britain would do all it may to carry Beijing to its commitments on democratic rights.
The UK has been particularly essential of a nationwide safety legislation imposed in 2020 and electoral adjustments that it says erode the freedoms and autonomy of Hong Kong.
In response, the Chinese language overseas ministry accused the UK of retaining a colonial mindset, in addition to utilizing human rights as a pretext to smear Hong Kong.
Xi final visited Hong Kong in 2017 for the July 1 celebrations, throughout which he warned that there could be no tolerance for any actions seen as threatening China’s sovereignty and stability.
The months of pro-democracy protests in 2019 have been seen by China’s ruling Communist Celebration as simply such a risk.
The next nationwide safety legislation drawn up by Beijing and Hong Kong has since been used to arrest scores of activists, media figures and democracy supporters; launched a extra “patriotic” curriculum in faculties; and revamped election legal guidelines to maintain opposition politicians who're deemed not patriotic sufficient out of town’s Legislature.
The adjustments have all however eradicated dissenting voices within the metropolis and have pushed many to depart. Britain launched an immigration route for holders of abroad British passports, with Johnson saying there had been 120,000 functions beneath the scheme by folks from Hong Kong.
Xi's two-day journey to Hong Kong is his first outdoors of mainland China because the pandemic took maintain in January 2020. Safety was beefed up for his arrival, with designated safety and no-fly zones. 1000's of visitors have been required to take every day coronavirus assessments and ordered to examine into quarantine lodges forward of their attendance of occasions with Xi on Thursday and Friday.
Xi additionally officiated the swearing-in ceremony of Hong Kong's new chief John Lee, a former safety official who oversaw the crackdown on dissent within the metropolis since 2019 pro-democracy protests. Lee pledged to uphold town's mini-constitution, the Fundamental Legislation, and bear allegiance to Hong Kong. He additionally pledged to be accountable to the central authorities in Beijing.
At a morning flag-raising ceremony — attended by Lee, his predecessor Carrie Lam and different officers however not Xi — law enforcement officials carrying the Chinese language and Hong Kong flags marched into Golden Bauhinia Sq. for the ceremony with the Chinese language “goose-stepping” fashion, changing a British-style march. Friends stood at consideration because the Chinese language nationwide anthem was performed.
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