Xi swears in new Hong Kong leader
Chinese President Xi Jinping officiated the swearing-in ceremony of Hong Kong’s new leader John Lee yesterday as the city marked the 25th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule after being pulled in recent years under much tighter Communist Party control.
Lee, a former security official who oversaw the crackdown on dissent in the city since 2019 pro-democracy protests, pledged to uphold the city’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, and bear allegiance to Hong Kong. He also pledged to be accountable to the central government in Beijing.
His inauguration followed a morning flag-raising ceremony attended by Lee, outgoing city leader Carrie Lam and several hundred other people.
On his arrival Thursday, Xi told well-wishers Hong Kong had overcome many challenges over the years and been “reborn from the ashes” with “vigorous vitality,” in an apparent allusion to the 2019 prodemocracy protests.
The protests were followed by a crackdown on dissent that transformed the city once known for its political and civic freedoms.
The flag-raising ceremony was held amid strong winds, and police carrying the Chinese and Hong Kong flags marched into the Golden Bauhinia Square for the ceremony with the Chinese “goose-stepping” style, replacing a British-style march.
Guests stood at attention as the Chinese national anthem was played.
Xi last visited Hong Kong in 2017 for the July 1 celebrations, during which he warned that there would be no tolerance for any activities seen as threatening China’s sovereignty and stability.
The months of pro-democracy protests in 2019 were seen by China’s ruling Communist Party as just such a threat, and Xi in remarks on Thursday praised Lam for ending chaos that had gripped the city and for ensuring that only “patriots” would rule Hong Kong.
Since the protests, Beijing and Hong Kong authorities drafted a national security law that was used to arrest scores of activists, media figures and democracy supporters.
As well, officials introduced a more “patriotic” curriculum in schools; and revamped election laws.