Chinese President: There is no need to change the principle of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong

Hong Kong – AFP
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that there was “absolutely no need” to change the “one country, two systems” principle that has been applied in Hong Kong for a quarter of a century and which grants the former British colony some degree of autonomy.
This model “is such a good system that there is absolutely no need to change it, and it must be maintained for a long time,” Xi said at a ceremony in Hong Kong to mark the quarter-century since Beijing regained sovereignty over the city from Britain.
He added that everything China had done since July 1, 1997, when the city returned to its sovereignty, was “for the good of Hong Yong.”
The prevailing principle of “one country, two systems” is the fruit of an agreement between London and Beijing, according to which the United Kingdom returned its colony to China, according to which it agreed that Hong Kong would enjoy for 50 years, i.e. until 2047, some degree of autonomy and that the freedoms of its residents would be guaranteed. during this period.
But the opposition in Hong Kong says: The national security law imposed by Beijing on the city in 2020 after the large-scale protests organized in 2019 by the pro-democracy movement, which was soon crushed by the pro-Beijing authorities, completely destroyed the promised freedoms.
In his speech, Xi considered that “real democracy” in Hong Kong began after its return to the bosom of China.
“After its reunification with the motherland, the people of Hong Kong became masters of their city, and real democracy in Hong Kong began then,” he said.
This is Xi’s first visit outside mainland China since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and it is his first visit to Hong Kong since the city erupted in 2019 with a large-scale pro-democracy protest movement.
During this visit, Xi will preside over the swearing-in ceremony of Hong Kong’s new ruler, Jun Lee. Xi’s visit to Hong Kong was surrounded by strict security and health measures in light of the strict measures implemented to curb the spread of “Covid-19”.