Monday, 19 May 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > Hong Kong on high alert as Xi Jinping visit expected for handover
World

Hong Kong on high alert as Xi Jinping visit expected for handover

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
Hong Kong on high alert as Xi Jinping visit expected for handover
SHARE

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Hong Kong Thursday, prompting a massive security effort ahead of celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the city’s handover to communist China.

Government leaders have been forced into a closed-loop system, parts of the city shut down, and multiple journalists barred from Friday events that will showcase the Communist Party’s control over the city after a political crackdown that dismantled a democracy movement and crushed dissent.

Details around the trip, Xi’s first outside mainland China since the Covid-19 pandemic began, have been kept under wraps, but he is expected to make appearances in Hong Kong on Thursday and Friday.

However, the Chinese leader will likely spend the night in neighbouring Shenzhen on the mainland, according to local media.

Those coming into Xi’s orbit during the trip, including the highest-ranking government officials, have been made to limit their social contacts, take daily PCR tests and check into a quarantine hotel in the days leading up to the visit.

“To play safe, if we are going to meet the paramount leader and other leaders in close quarters, I think it is worthwhile to go into the closed-loop arrangements,” veteran pro-Beijing politician Regina Ip told AFP.

Authorities have moved to eliminate any potential source of embarrassment during Xi’s time in the city, with national security police making at least nine arrests over the past week.

The League of Social Democrats, one of Hong Kong’s few remaining opposition groups, said it will not demonstrate on July 1 after national security officers spoke with volunteers associated with the group.

And Hong Kong’s top polling group announced that it would delay publishing the results of a survey that gauged government popularity “in response to suggestions from relevant government departments after their risk assessment”.

The July 1 handover anniversary in Hong Kong has traditionally been marked by tens of thousands taking to the streets in peaceful rallies every year.

But mass gatherings have essentially disappeared in Hong Kong over the past few years under a mixture of coronavirus restrictions and a security crackdown aimed at eliminating any public opposition to China’s uncompromising rule over the city.

– Patriotism on display –

Authorities have tightly restricted media coverage of Xi’s visit, with the government barring multiple journalists from covering events around it.

As of Wednesday, AFP has confirmed that 13 local and international journalists were denied accreditation to cover the handover celebrations.

Two AFP reporters were among those rejected, with a government official citing unspecified “security reasons”. A third AFP reporter was later granted accreditation.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association expressed “deep regret” at the rejections and said the quarantine and testing requirements reporters were made to undergo made staff substitutions difficult.

The government told media the decision was “a balance as far as possible between the needs of media work and security requirements”.

Police on Tuesday announced large-scale road closures on Hong Kong island and temporarily banned the flying of drones in the entire city, citing security concerns.

Select sites across the financial hub have also been closed off, including the high-speed rail terminus, a performance venue for Chinese opera and Hong Kong’s Science Park.

A number of Science Park workers told AFP they had not received any notification about a visit by Xi but said they were told to work from home on Thursday.

Authorities have also sought to portray an image of public support for the celebrations, including with mass displays of Hong Kong and China flags draped across dozens of public housing estates.

At one estate, a 26-year-old resident surnamed Chan complained at small flags that had been placed outside every floor at a stairwell. “It is unnecessary and too much,” he told AFP.

Tony, a worker at the estate, said the display would be better if it was done by residents voluntarily.

“Are we really embracing this ideology so much?” he told AFP.

“People may be repelled… if it is overdone.”

hol-su/reb/oho/cwl/kma/jta

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations in Qatar end without breakthrough U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations in Qatar end without breakthrough
Next Article Dictator’s son Marcos Jr. takes oath as Philippine president Dictator’s son Marcos Jr. takes oath as Philippine president

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

Festival Devotees Migrate East

A young man sporting elf ears and a pink beard danced shirtless to trance music.…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Russians who spread fake news about officials abroad face jail -Interfax

March 25 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday formally approved a law which…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker’s Scandalous Halloween Decor Causes Stir

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's Halloween decor seems to be as attractive as they're ...…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Russia-Ukraine latest news: Russia hits Odesa with deadly missile strikes

Emergency personnel work near a building damaged after a military strike, in Odesa - ReutersOne…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

First Factor: Biden identified with ‘aggressive’ prostate most cancers, workplace says
World

First Factor: Biden identified with ‘aggressive’ prostate most cancers, workplace says

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Poland’s presidential candidates search to broaden attraction on marketing campaign path after nail-biting first spherical vote – Europe dwell
World

Poland’s presidential candidates search to broaden attraction on marketing campaign path after nail-biting first spherical vote – Europe dwell

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Israel says it should enable ‘basic’ quantities of meals into Gaza after 10-week blockade – Israel-Gaza conflict reside
World

Israel says it should enable ‘basic’ quantities of meals into Gaza after 10-week blockade – Israel-Gaza conflict reside

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Australia information dwell: Albanese meets Zelenskyy and pope in Rome; eight rescued from NSW floods
World

Australia information dwell: Albanese meets Zelenskyy and pope in Rome; eight rescued from NSW floods

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?