'Risen from the ashes...': What Xi Jinping stated in Hong Kong at the moment | World News

Hong Kong has 'risen from the ashes', China president Xi Jinping stated Thursday on a uncommon go to to the previous British colony. Xi was in Hong Kong to have a good time 25 yr because it was returned to China and administer the oath of workplace to the worldwide monetary hub's new chief, John Lee.

Immediately was Xi Jinping's first go to to Hong Kong since 2017. Extra importantly, it was additionally his first journey outdoors mainland China in over two years - for the reason that Covid pandemic struck.

"I am very completely happy to be in Hong Kong," Xi stated, "It has been 5 years since I final visited, and prior to now 5 years I have been listening to and fascinated about Hong Kong."

"Hong Kong has withstood extreme exams repeatedly, overcoming challenges one after the other. After the wind and rain, Hong Kong has risen from the ashes," the Chinese language chief stated.

"So long as we follow the 'one nation, two techniques' framework, Hong Kong may have a brighter future and can make nice contributions to the rejuvenation of the Chinese language individuals."

On Friday, Xi will attend a ceremony marking Hong Kong's return to Chinese language rule and officiate an inauguration ceremony for the brand new authorities led by incoming chief Lee.

Hong Kong and close by Macao are designated as 'particular administrative areas', or SARs, which are ruled individually from the remainder of China, often called the Chinese language mainland.

Earlier at the moment Xi and his spouse, Peng Liyuan, stepped off a high-speed prepare - the mainland metropolis of Shenzhen is 15 minutes from Hong Kong by rail - to be greeted by youngsters waving flowers and flags (Chinese language and Hong Kong) and chanting 'Welcome, warmly welcome' in Mandarin.

They had been additionally greeted by metropolis chief Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong upped safety forward of Xi's go to

Forward of Xi Jinping's arrival, safety had been massively ramped up in Hong Kong - which was rocked by protests in 2019 and 2020 over an modification to a invoice on extradition.

These adopted the enduring 'umbrella motion' protests that started in 2014 over calls for for extra clear elections forward of elections for a brand new chief govt in 2017.

Police have designated safety zones and street closures in addition to a no-fly zone for Friday. Some areas have been shut utterly, together with a efficiency venue and science park.

Over 10 journalists from native and worldwide media had purposes to cowl the July 1 occasions rejected on 'safety grounds'.

The Chinese language authorities stated it was 'putting a stability between the necessity of media work and safety necessities'.

Anybody with potential contact with the president, together with high-ranking officers, have been made to isolate and take each day Covid exams.

With enter from AFP, Reuters