China’s President Xi Jinping warned that efforts by Hong Kong to challenge Beijing’s power cross a « red line » at the end of his visit to the city.
July 1 (UPI) — China’s President Xi Jinping warned that efforts by Hong Kong to challenge Beijing’s power cross a « red line » at the end of his visit to the city.
Xi completed his three-day visit to Hong Kong to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the transfer of the city from British to Chinese control and delivered the strong message that warned against subverting or politicizing Beijing’s power .
« Any attempt to endanger China’s sovereignty and security … or use Hong Kong to carry out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is an act that crosses a red line, » Xi said on Saturday.
On Thursday, Xi reaffirmed the « one country, two systems » that allows Beijing to govern Hong Kong from a distance, while local lawmakers handle day-to-day affairs.
Xi praised Hong Kong for its financial success, serving as a hub for global trade and finance, but warned that » making everything political or deliberately creating differences » will « severely hinder Hong Kong’s economic and social development. »
The president left Hong Kong after his speech, as protesters prepared to participate in the annual July 1 pro-democracy march.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets, as they carried signs rallying around Nobel Peace Prize-winning dissident Liu Xiaobo and sought the attention of Xi on his first trip to the city since taking power in 2013.
Another group of pro-democracy protesters planned to protest outside of a flag-raising ceremony earlier Saturday, but were met with counter protesters and a police presence.
Before ending his visit, Xi also swore in Hong Kong’s first female chief executive, Carrie Lam.
Lam promised to cultivate a « new style of governance to rebuild a harmonious society and renew the people’s trust in the government. »
