Xi is expected to spend two days in the financial hub and attend a series of official events to mark both the July 1 handover and the inauguration ceremony of the city’s next Beijing appointed leader John Lee, a former police officer and security chief.
Xi arrived in the city Thursday afternoon, via high-speed train from the Chinese border city of Shenzhen, whereupon he was met by large crowd waving national flags and chanting in unison, “Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome.”
Xi was then led along a red carpet, as colorful lion dancers performed, adding to the din of drumming, chanting and trumpets.
Xi was first greeted by Hong Kong’s departing Chief Executive Carrie Lam and her top officials. After exchanging a few words, Xi and his delegation slowly made their way through the station, waving to the crowd and speaking with other officials present.
In the almost 900 days since Xi last left the mainland on January 17, 2020, his diplomatic activities have been limited to virtual summits and video conferences, lending particular significance to his Hong Kong trip.
“If we calculate the total costs and benefits, our Covid policies are the most economical and effective,” Xi said, adding that China had the ability to continue its zero-Covid approach “until the final victory.”
To ensure Xi’s visit goes smoothly, Hong Kong has imposed a range of Covid restrictions that include a “closed loop” system for any public figure likely to attend official anniversary engagements.
As of last week, top officials have been forbidden from attending public events and restricted to using private vehicles when commuting. They have also been tested daily for Covid, and must spend Thursday night in a quarantine hotel before Friday’s handover ceremony.
Arriving in a changed city
The last time Xi visited Hong Kong to mark the handover was in 2017, for the 20th anniversary, when he was met with streets full of pro-democracy protesters.
A subsequent crackdown saw nearly all of Hong Kong’s leading pro-democracy figures, including activists and politicians, either jailed or forced into exile.
Of the organizations that remain, none have applied for permits to stage peaceful protests during Xi’s trip, according to police. The League of Social Democrats, one of the few surviving pro-democracy political parties, said it would not stage any protests after several members met with national security police.
“The situation is difficult, and please accept our apologies,” said the party’s chairwoman, Chan Po-ying, on Tuesday.
The Hong Kong government has repeatedly defended the national security law, saying it has restored order to the city, which was rocked by pro-democracy, anti-government protests in 2019.
A government spokesperson said this month that Hong Kong’s freedoms of speech, press, and assembly are still “protected in accordance with the law” and that “law-abiding people will not unwittingly violate the law.”
Driving home the message was a stern warning by police on Tuesday, when the assistant police commissioner declared that authorities would not tolerate “any acts of violence or public disorder” or “anything that may interfere and undermine the security operation.”
Venues closed, no-fly zone
Taking no chances, police have ramped up security and shut down areas close to key venues. Pedestrian footbridges, highways and one train station in some of the busiest areas of Hong Kong — including the financial districts of Admiralty and Wan Chai North — have been temporarily closed for Thursday and Friday.
A no-fly zone has also been established across the city’s harbor, with drone use restricted throughout Xi’s visit.
According to the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), at least 10 journalists working for local and international organizations had their applications to cover the events rejected for “security reasons.”
“With media unable to send journalists on the ground, the HKJA expresses utmost regret over the rigid reporting arrangements made by the authorities for such a major event,” the press group said on Tuesday.
Reuters, Agence France-Press (AFP), and the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post were among the outlets whose reporters were blocked from covering the ceremonies, according to the HKJA. CNN’s application to attend the events was also rejected.
The HKJA on Tuesday expressed “utmost regret over the rigid reporting arrangements made by the authorities for such a major event.”
CNN’s Kathleen Magramo contributed reporting.
