[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Chinese President Xi Jinping, who visited Hong Kong, emphasized on the 30th his intention to maintain the "One Country, Two Systems" policy as defined by China for Hong Kong.
President Xi arrived at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station in the afternoon via a special train to attend the 25th anniversary ceremony of Hong Kong's sovereignty return, which will be held on the 1st of next month.
This visit marks President Xi's first trip to Hong Kong in five years since attending the 20th anniversary ceremony of Hong Kong's sovereignty return in 2017. It is also his first time leaving mainland China since January 2020, when lockdown measures were implemented due to the spread of COVID-19 within China.
He stated, "One Country, Two Systems has strong vitality and can ensure Hong Kong's prosperity and stability while protecting the welfare of Hong Kong compatriots," adding, "One Country, Two Systems is a good system."
He continued, "If we uphold One Country, Two Systems without any wavering, Hong Kong's future will be even more beautiful," emphasizing, "Hong Kong will surely make new contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."
Last month, President Xi praised the successful implementation of One Country, Two Systems over the past 25 years to John Lee, the incoming Chief Executive of Hong Kong who visited Beijing, stating, "The central government's determination to comprehensively and accurately implement this principle has never wavered and will not change in the future."
At the 25th anniversary event of Hong Kong's sovereignty return, President Xi is expected to emphasize that Hong Kong is Chinese territory and assert that Hong Kong has enjoyed prosperity since sovereignty was returned from the United Kingdom to China.
However, Hong Kong's civil society and Western countries view that Hong Kong's autonomy is collapsing and that Sinicization is rapidly progressing.
When protests began in 2019 opposing the extradition bill, they escalated into anti-government demonstrations demanding direct elections, with up to two million participants. In response, the Chinese government enacted the Hong Kong National Security Law in June 2020 and overhauled Hong Kong's electoral system last year to ensure that only "patriots" can hold public office, thereby tightening control over Hong Kong.
Additionally, there is criticism that Hong Kong is no longer the same as before, as the democratic camp, civil society, and media critical of China have come under pressure from Beijing.
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