President Xi's 48 hours in Hong Kong

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Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Hong Kong on Thursday noon and left at midday on Saturday, attending 14 major events in about 48 hours in the special administrative region (SAR).

Saturday marked 20 years since Hong Kong's return to China as well as the inauguration of the region's new Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and her cabinet.

On a tight schedule, the Chinese president delivered three important speeches, witnessed the signing of two agreements, inspected the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) garrison and key infrastructure projects in Hong Kong, attended several ceremonies and an evening gala and met with government officials and representatives of Hong Kong's various social sectors.

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'Hong Kong has always been in my heart'

The Chinese central government will continue to act as a strong supporter of Hong Kong, Xi said in a speech after arriving at the Hong Kong International Airport at noon on Thursday.

"We came here to show support," Xi said, while outlining "three main purposes" of the visit, namely extending best wishes, showing support and planning the future.

The three-day visit was Xi's first trip to Hong Kong as Chinese president. In July 2008, he visited the SAR as China's vice president.

"I'm very glad to come to Hong Kong again after nine years," he said, "Hong Kong has always been in my heart."

Xi met with outgoing Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, saying the central government fully acknowledged his work during his five-year term of office.

On Thursday afternoon, Xi attended a signing ceremony for cooperation agreement on the development of the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

The mainland and Hong Kong will carry out cooperation in areas including relic display, personnel training and people-to-people exchange, according to the agreement. The collection of artworks at the Palace Museum in Beijing will be displayed at the Hong Kong Palace Museum to enrich the cultural life of Hong Kong citizens.

The Chinese president said he hoped the Hong Kong SAR can carry forward the traditional culture, play its role as a platform facilitating the Chinese and Western cultural exchanges, and promote cultural exchange and cooperation with the mainland.

Xi inspects PLA garrison in Hong Kong SAR

Xi, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected PLA troops in 20 formations of more than 3,100 soldiers at the Shek Kong barracks on Friday morning.

In a meeting with PLA officers after the inspection, Xi stressed that the PLA garrison was an important embodiment of the national sovereignty, an important force to safeguard the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and an important cornerstone to maintain prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.

Xi then visited the newly-established Junior Police Call Permanent Activity Center and Integrated Youth Training Camp at Pat Heung. He watched leadership and physical training sessions and talked with Hong Kong's youth at the center.

On Friday afternoon, Xi met with a group of Hong Kong dignitaries from all walks of life and some central government officials based in the SAR as well as senior executives of Hong Kong branches of mainland enterprises and institutions.

The Chinese president delivered a speech at a welcome dinner hosted by the Hong Kong SAR government, calling on Hong Kong citizens to have more confidence in themselves, Hong Kong and the nation.

"I want to particularly commend Hong Kong people's participation in and significant contribution to China's reform, opening-up and modernization drive," he said.

Xi attended a grand gala on Friday night in honor of the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China. At the end of the show, he was invited on stage and joined the chorus in singing the classic Chinese song "Ode to the Motherland."

'Red line' in Hong Kong that cannot be crossed

On Saturday, Xi oversaw the swearing-in of Carrie Lam as the fifth-term chief executive of Hong Kong and delivered a landmark speech during a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China.

"Any attempt to endanger national sovereignty and security, challenge the power of the central government and the authority of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR or use Hong Kong to carry out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is an act that crosses the red line, and is absolutely impermissible," he stressed.

The Chinese president made the remarks while elaborating on how to implement the "One Country, Two Systems" principle in Hong Kong. Xi mentioned "One Country, Two Systems" a total of 24 times in his 30-minute speech.

"In practice, we must strengthen the awareness of 'One Country,' firmly adhere to the principle of 'One Country' and properly handle the relationship between the SAR and the central government," he said.

While efforts should be made to uphold the "One Country" principle and maintain the central government's power, differences between "Two Systems" should also be respected and the SAR's high degree of autonomy must be guaranteed, Xi added.

He also urged different social sectors of Hong Kong to build consensus and resolve differences through rational communication.

After the ceremony, Xi held a meeting with Lam and expressed confidence in the new chief executive.

Efforts should also be made to further develop Hong Kong's economy, improve its people's well-being, and maintain the region's prosperity and stability, Xi told the first female leader of the SAR.

The Chinese president then met with key figures of Hong Kong's executive, legislative and judicial bodies.

Xi later attended the signing ceremony of the framework agreement on the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which is expected to promote the integration between Hong Kong, Macao and mainland cities in the Pearl River Delta region.

After inspecting the construction site of the Hong Kong segment of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge and the third runway at Hong Kong International Airport, Xi concluded his visit and left for Beijing at noon on Saturday.

Summarizing Xi's visit, Zhang Xiaoming, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR, said: "President Xi Jinping laid out a clear strategy for Hong Kong and the international community, that the central government's implementation of the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle won't change, and the continuing implementation of this principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' is in line with the expectations of Hong Kong's residents."

Zhang added that he noticed "Hong Kong society was touched by President Xi's charisma."

(With inputs from Xinhua)

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