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Zen Soo
Hong Kong (AP) — Hong Kong in and out leaders attended a flag-raising ceremony on Friday. The city has been under much stricter Communist Party control in recent years.
China's President Xi Jinping, who will leave the mainland for the first time in two and a half years, will attend the new government's inauguration ceremony late Friday, but did not attend the ceremony.
When arriving on Thursday, Xi said that Hong Kong had overcome many challenges over the years and was "reborn from ash" with "vibrant vitality", a clear hint to the pros of 2019. I told the applicant. Following the democratic protests, there was a thorough crackdown on allegations that transformed the economic center once known for political and civil liberties.
The flag-raising ceremony includes city leaders Carrie Lam, former leaders Leon Chun-in and Donald Tsang, and the city's new chief, the next leader. Hundreds of people participated. Executives late Friday.
In strong winds, a flag-raising ceremony was held, and police officers with the flags of China and Hong Kong went to Golden Bauhinia Square for the ceremony in the Chinese "goose stepping" style instead of Britain. I marched. Style march. Guests drew attention while the Chinese national anthem was being played.
Xi last visited Hong Kong for the celebration of July 1, 2017. Meanwhile, he warned that he was intolerant of activities that were considered to threaten China's sovereignty and stability.
Months of the anti-democratic movement in 2019 were seen as just such a threat by China's ruling Communist Party, and in a statement Thursday night Xi said the city He praised Ram for ending the turmoil he was in control of and to ensure that only "patriots" dominate Hong Kong.
Since the protest, Beijing and Hong Kong authorities have drafted and used national security laws to arrest numerous activists, media and democratic supporters. Introduced a more "patriotic" curriculum into the school. Amended the election law to keep opposition politicians away from the city council. With this change, the city's dissenting opinions have almost disappeared and many have left.
