Participated in the 25th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong on the 1st
“One country, two systems is a good system”
Chinese President Xi Jinping (pictured) visited Hong Kong for the first time in five years to attend a ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong’s sovereignty to Hong Kong on the 1st. He emphasized ‘one country, two systems’ as his first statement, but there are criticisms among Hong Kong residents that he has effectively lost autonomy.
Xi arrived at Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station by train on the afternoon of the 30th to attend a ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong’s sovereignty on July 1. “One country, two systems has a strong vitality and will contribute to securing Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability,” he said.
He also emphasized, “If we stick to the one country, two systems, the future of Hong Kong will be even more beautiful,” he said.
It is the first time in five years since 2017 that Xi has attended a ceremony to commemorate the return of Hong Kong’s sovereignty. It is the first time he has left mainland China since his visit to Myanmar on January 18, 2020. Prior to attending, he said to Hong Kong Chief Executive-elect John Lee, who visited Beijing last month, that one country, two systems had been successfully implemented for 25 years.
Foreign media such as CNN interpreted Xi’s move as a declaration of victory over Hong Kong. After suppressing anti-government protests in Hong Kong in 2019, they purged the opposition and controlled the media. After enacting the Hong Kong National Security Law in June 2020, Hong Kong’s electoral system was completely reformed last year. The main content was that only ‘patriots’ could enter public office. In fact, criticism has been pouring in that China has taken direct control.
Although one country, two systems has not been effectively observed, the city of Hong Kong is expected to be quiet on the day of the event. In 2017, after President Xi attended a ceremony, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to demand democracy. However, since the Hong Kong National Security Law came into force two years ago, anti-government protests have subsided as protesters are suppressed. The Social Democratic Federation, a democratic group in Hong Kong, announced on social media that it would not hold a protest on the 1st.
Hong Kong has been criticized for being deprived of its autonomy. According to the Hong Kong Return Agreement signed by China and Britain at the time of return in 1997, Hong Kong could be guaranteed universal suffrage and autonomy until 2047. However, the agreement was effectively broken through the reform of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the electoral system. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) criticized that “(China) is expelling Hong Kong residents who demand autonomy and cracking down on politicians and the media.”
Reporter Hyun-woo Oh [email protected]