Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated adherence to the “one country, two systems” principle on the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China. It is “such a good system” that “there is no reason” to change it, Xi said in a speech in Hong Kong today. The principle must also be respected in the “long term”. Xi said everything China has done in dealing with the former British crown colony is “for the benefit of Hong Kong”.
The 25th anniversary of the return to China is being celebrated today in Hong Kong. When the internationally important financial center was returned on June 30, 1997, the Chinese leadership agreed to respect Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms prevailing there for another 50 years in accordance with the principle of “one country, two systems”.
increased influence
The Beijing government has gradually expanded its influence over Hong Kong over the years. Mass protests broke out in 2019 and were brutally suppressed. In 2020, Beijing imposed a “security law” on the autonomous region, which greatly restricts basic democratic rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, Hong Kong’s new Prime Minister John Lee, who played a central role in cracking down on the pro-democracy movement’s mass demonstrations in 2019, was sworn in today.
“Erosion of Autonomy”
On the occasion of the anniversary, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken lamented an “erosion of autonomy” in Hong Kong. It is now clear that leaders in Hong Kong and Beijing no longer see “democratic participation, fundamental freedoms and independent media” as part of the “one country, two systems” principle.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised: “We will not give up on Hong Kong”.