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Chinese language chief Xi Jinping oversees ceremony on first journey exterior mainland China because the pandemic started.
John Lee was sworn in on Friday as Hong Kong’s subsequent chief, opening a brand new chapter for the previous British colony because it marked 25 years since its return to Chinese language rule.
The ceremony was overseen by Chinese language President Xi Jinping, who travelled to Hong Kong on Thursday in his first journey exterior mainland China because the pandemic started.
In his inaugural tackle, Lee promised to unravel Hong Kong’s issues separately whereas selling the town’s picture abroad.
Lee faces the tough process of restoring the worldwide monetary centre’s repute after a few of the world’s longest COVID-19 restrictions and a draconian nationwide safety legislation pushed Hong Kongers and expatriates alike to depart in droves.
Lee, a former safety chief, is considered one of a number of high Hong Kong officers sanctioned by the USA for undermining the Chinese language territory’s autonomy and freedoms.
Strict social distancing measures had been in place for the ceremony and attendees had been required to quarantine in inns earlier this week whereas additionally present process each day COVID checks.
Friday additionally marks the twenty fifth anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China however the temper was muted amid a heavy safety presence and wet climate attributable to a close-by storm.
Indicators proclaiming a brand new period of “stability, prosperity, and alternative” have been erected round Hong Kong for the event, however many residents consider the town is shedding its distinct lifestyle as Beijing cracks down on nearly all shows of dissent.
Beneath the phrases of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese language sovereignty in 1997, Beijing promised to grant the town a excessive diploma of autonomy and protect political rights and freedoms not discovered on the mainland till at the least 2047 – an association generally known as “one nation, two programs.”
However because the imposition of a draconian nationwide safety legislation in June 2020, authorities have virtually worn out the town’s as soon as boisterous pro-democracy motion and compelled the closure of dozens of civil society organisations and media shops.
In years previous, July 1 noticed giant demonstrations by Hong Kongers protesting infringements on their political rights and autonomy by Beijing.
This 12 months marks the primary time no public actions might be held, following an analogous ban on occasions to mark the 1989 Tiananmen Sq. bloodbath on June 4.
Nationwide safety police arrested 9 folks over the previous week and searched the homes of members of the League of Social Democrats, considered one of Hong Kong’s few remaining opposition teams.
The group was additionally instructed by police to not protest and have reportedly been adopted.
The crackdown is predicted to proceed underneath Lee, considered one of a number of Hong Kong officers sanctioned by the USA for undermining the town’s autonomy and democratic rights.
As Hong Kong’s former safety chief, Lee has been instrumental within the crackdown on opposition figures. His upcoming cupboard contains 4 different high-ranking officers underneath sanctions.
Lee is predicted to introduce extra laws to curb dissent in Hong Kong, together with a neighborhood nationwide safety legislation.
On Thursday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson lamented the modifications which have taken place within the metropolis.
“We made a promise to the territory and its folks and we intend to maintain it, doing all we will to carry China to its commitments,” he stated.
In the USA, Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed considerations over the “erosion of autonomy” within the metropolis, saying: “We stand in solidarity with folks in Hong Kong and reinforce their calls for his or her promised freedoms to be reinstated.”
Xi insisted on Thursday that “one nation, two programs” would assure “long-term stability and prosperity in Hong Kong.“
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