Xi Jinping insists “only patriots can rule” the former British colony during the inauguration of its new chief executive, former police officer John Lee
25 years ago today, when the UK handed Hong Kong back to China after a century and a half of colonial occupation, the Communist Party regime pledged to respect its capitalism and greater freedoms for at least 50 years, until 2047. During that time, many of those freedoms have disappeared. . Since Beijing passed a draconian National Security Law two years ago that criminalized virtually all opposition, dozens of Democratic politicians have been jailed or exiled, civilian organizations have been dismantled and media outlets such as the Apple newspaper have been forced to shut down. Once the most open, liberal and cosmopolitan city in Asia, Hong Kong is beginning to look more and more like mainland China.
During this anniversary, this was made clear by President Xi Jinping’s brief visit to celebrate the transfer of sovereignty and attend the inauguration of his new chief executive, John Lee. Although Xi is in Hong Kong for two days, he has actually only spent a dozen hours because he crossed the border again last night to sleep in the neighboring city of Shenzhen. Together with the strict security measures that have protected his entourage, it is the clearest sign of how little he trusts Hong Kong and of fears of an attack or protest at the door of his residence after the uprising for democracy that he burned down the city in the second half of 2019. Extremely cautious about covid, the Chinese president has also entered a bubble that has quarantined all participants in his actions, including the 1,300 guests at John Lee’s inauguration at the convention and exhibition center.
Beneath the clouds and winds that the approaching Typhoon Chaba is already bringing, this former police officer and former head of security has replaced Carrie Lam as chief executive of the local government. All equipped with masks, Lee and his twenty ministers have been sworn in before Xi Jinping, who, as a precaution, did not even shake their hands. 25 years ago, when it gained sovereignty from Hong Kong, China promised to introduce universal suffrage to elect its chief executive, but Lee, the sole candidate for the post, was appointed in May by an election committee related to Beijing with 99, 4% of their 1,416 votes. Instead of introducing universal suffrage, the Communist Party regime last year reformed the electoral law to tighten control over the nomination of the Hong Kong president and the local parliament, thus eliminating politicians who advocate for democracy because of their lack of ‘patriotism’, to exercise a veto. Because of his experience as a police officer and responsible for security, Democratic supporters who are not yet in prison fear more crackdowns and repression under John Lee’s mandate over the next five years.
“Government must be in the hands of patriots. There is no country or region in the world where its citizens will allow those who are not patriots or even traitors to take over political power,” assured President Xi Jinping in his 22-minute speech, collected by the South China Morning Post newspaper. His orders to John Lee are to improve government efficiency and sense of national identity, integrate into development plans such as the Greater Bay Area and the New Silk Roads, effectively solve life and social problems and maintain harmony and stability.
“After the wind and rain, the city cannot afford to fall into chaos,” Xi warned, referring to the massive demonstrations in 2019 calling for democracy that eventually led to a violent uprising. To prevent incidents during their visit, the police closed off areas where the official delegation passed, banned the flight of drones and searched the homes of Democratic activists.
Despite his increased control over Hong Kong, the Chinese president insisted on the principles of “one country, two systems” and “high level of autonomy” promised during his handover on July 1, 1997. But he also made it clear that while Hong Kong and Macau operates on the basis of the capitalist system, people have to respect the socialist model prevailing in mainland China. “Everything the central government does is in the interest of the nation, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as its compatriots,” Xi noted, calling for “pragmatism” from the new city officials.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson showed the West’s unease with China, which was evident at the NATO summit in Madrid, assuring that “we will not turn our backs on Hong Kong”. “25 years ago we made a promise to the area and its people and we intend to keep that promise by doing everything we can to make sure China lives up to its commitments and Hong Kong is once again run by and for its people” Johnson warned. the BBC.
Facing the wave of Hong Kongers considering emigrating due to Beijing’s growing authoritarianism, including more than half a million strikers who have requested to renew British Nationals Overseas (BNO) passports granted before the return, Xi Jinping pledged the young people who will have “a future”. “It doesn’t matter what career or ideas a resident has as long as they sincerely support the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, love Hong Kong, adhere to the Basic Law and are a positive force in its development,” advocates Xi. But before returning to China, he visited the People’s Liberation Army garrison near the government and parliament in case things went wrong again like in 2019.
Source: La Verdad
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