Hong Kong "rises from the ashes" and says Xi is celebrating its 25th anniversary of returning to Chinese rule.

Hong Kong — Hong Kong overcame that challenge and “raised from the ash” Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday when he arrived in the former British colony to celebrate 25 years after returning to Chinese rule.

After Xi's first visit to the city since 2017, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken say China respects "one country." He said he couldn't fulfill his promise. An arrangement of "two systems" agreed under the agreement that ended British colonial rule in 1997. Strengthen Kong and their call to revive their promised freedom.

On Friday, on his known trip away from the mainland for the first time in more than two years in the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi held an oath ceremony for Hong Kong's new leader, John Lee. rice field.

Lee states that the rule of law is the fundamental value of financial centers around the world, and the National Security Act imposed on the city in 2020 brought stability after the 2019 rebel protest. Stated.

Former security officials who have overseen the city's crackdown on objections since 2019 have upheld the city's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, and promised to pledge loyalty to Hong Kong. The movement against democratization. He also promised to be accountable to Beijing's central government.

West and his wife, Pen Liyuan, wearing masks get off the high-speed train, waving flowers and the flags of China and Hong Kong and chanting "Welcome, welcome, warm welcome" in Mandarin. We were greeted by us.

"Hong Kong has endured many tough challenges and overcame challenges one by one," Xi said in a short speech. "After the wind and rain, Hong Kong rose from the ashes."

Authorities organized a lion dance celebration while a police band was playing. The station was tightly guarded and police were checking for a stop with the help of a detection dog.

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Some analysts consider Xi's visit a winning tour after Beijing strengthens Hong Kong's dominance under national security legislation following a major anti-democratic movement in 2019. increase.

"This is a celebration of the victory of the central government. Hong Kong's political opposition." Professor John Barnes of the Department of Politics and Administration at the University of Hong Kong said.

The outgoing city leader, Carrie Lam, and her husband were among the people who welcomed Xi at a station that hadn't been used for two years due to COVID restrictions. The

street was adorned with red Chinese flags and posters proclaiming a "new era" of stability.

The full official schedule for Xi's visit has not been announced. It was not immediately clear if the celebration would be affected by the expected typhoon.

On his final visit to Hong Kong, Xi warned of any act that endangered China's sovereignty, stating that China needed to strengthen its national security arrangements.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched during a visit to Xi five years ago, but the city became more secure and the most outspoken opposition politicians and democratic activists were in prison or. No protests are expected this time because he is in exile.

According to the Beijing and Hong Kong governments, they "regained order from the turmoil" so that the city could prosper. ".

In a statement, Blinken stated that the 25th anniversary of the delivery was envisioned as the midpoint of the 50 years of autonomy promised under the "one country, two systems".

"But it is clear that Hong Kong and Beijing authorities no longer consider democratic participation, fundamental freedoms and independent media as part of this vision." He said.

"Authorities have imprisoned opposition parties, raided independent media organizations, weakened democratic institutions, and delayed elections," Blinken said. "They have done all this to rob the Hong Kongers of what they have promised."

Senior police officer Louis Kamho warns against violence and public turmoil this week. Issued. More than 30,000 police said they would secure the celebration.

Police closed parts of Hong Kong, blocked roads, and forced a no-fly zone over Victoria Harbour.

Resident Charis Ho, 31, said security measures were inconvenient for the general public and "made Xi look sensitive."

Angel Chau, 62, was excited.

"It shows how much he cares about Hong Kong," Chau said.

Members of the League of Social Democrats' Democratic Federation said they would abandon the demonstration plan after a national security adviser warned against protesting during Xi's visit.

Former Washington police officer Lee was placed under national security sanctions, and Ram underwent daily COVID inspections and quarantine hotels for several days prior to Xi's visit. The media said they were staying.

Hong Kong reported 2,358 COVID cases on Thursday, increasing daily infections.

China's strategy to eradicate COVID outbreaks as soon as they occur at almost all costs contrasts with the global trend of coexisting with the disease.

Some journalists have been blocked from reporting the ceremony by authorities citing security requirements.

Ready to secure an unprecedented third leader term at this year's Congress, Xi will spend the night in the neighboring city of Shenzhen on Thursday before leaving Hong Kong on Friday. Was expected.

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