XI DOUBLES DOWN ON NEED FOR ‘PATRIOTS’ AS HONG KONG’S NEW LEADER IS SWORN IN

Fri 01 July 2022:

On Friday, John Lee was sworn in as Hong Kong’s new chief executive, signaling a fresh start as the former British colony commemorated 25 years of Chinese rule.

In order to oversee the ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping traveled for the first time outside of mainland China since the COVID-19 outbreak started.

According to local station RTHK News, Lee pledged to “resolve issues facing society in a practical manner,” in his inauguration speech, saying that the next five years will be crucial for Hong Kong.

“Even if we only solve one problem a day, without taking such small steps it is simply impossible to get to faraway places. Through perseverance we shall succeed,” he said.

Lee, 64, a former security chief who oversaw a crackdown on protests in Hong Kong in 2019, was elected as the next chief executive in May.

He was the lone contender to succeed Carrie Lam.

“I will strive to comprehensively and accurately implement the principles of One Country, Two Systems … to safeguard constitutional order … our country’s sovereignty, national security and development interests, and to ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong,” said Lee.

President Xi spoke about the need for “patriots” to rule Hong Kong as it embarks on “a new stage in the transition from chaos to order.”

“To keep the power to administer Hong Kong firmly in the hands of patriots is essential for safeguarding the long-term governance and security of Hong Kong. At no time should this principle be allowed to be compromised,” he said.

Xi reiterated that “One Country, Two Systems” remains the best model for Hong Kong, emphasizing that it must be implemented “fully and faithfully without being bent or distorted.”

“Today, I wish to highlight once more that the policy of One Country, Two Systems, having been tested and proved time and again, meets the fundamental interests of the country and the Chinese nation and those of Hong Kong and Macau,” he said.

He said the system is supported by more than 1.4 billion people in China and “widely recognized” by the international community.

“There is no reason to change such a good system, and it must be adhered to over the long run,” he asserted.

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