Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan in Hong Kong [CCTV 화면 캡처]
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who visited Hong Kong for the first time in five years amid the ‘sinicization of Hong Kong’ controversy, said, “After going through the rain and wind, Hong Kong endured the pain and was reborn, and it was revived.”
President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived at West Kowloon Station in Hong Kong by train on the followingnoon of the 30th to attend a ceremony to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong’s sovereignty to Hong Kong on July 1.
Xi’s visit to Hong Kong is the first in five years since attending the ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong sovereignty in 2017, and the first in 893 days since January 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began in earnest.
“One country, two systems has a strong vitality, can ensure Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability and protect the welfare of Hong Kong compatriots,” Xi said. “One country, two systems is a good system.”
In a situation in which the West, including the United States, pointed out the ‘sinicization of Hong Kong’ and criticized it for not keeping the promise of ‘one country, two systems’, he announced his intention to uphold one country, two systems with his first visit to Hong Kong.
“If we stick to the one country, two systems, Hong Kong’s future will be even more beautiful,” Xi said.
“Hong Kong has been through severe trials for some time in the past and has overcome dangerous challenges,” he said.
The ‘rain and wind’ mentioned by President Xi is interpreted as having in mind the large-scale anti-government protests that took place in 2019.
After meeting with 160 local people at the Hong Kong Convention Center, Xi visited the Hong Kong Science Park and will attend a dinner hosted by Chief Executive Carrie Lam.
At the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong’s sovereignty, Xi is expected to emphasize that Hong Kong is China’s land and assert that Hong Kong is prosperous following the return of sovereignty from Britain to China.
