Hong Kong on high alert as Xi Jinping visit expected for handover
Authorities have also sought to portray an image of public support for the celebrationsless than 2 min read
June 30, 2022 - 11:57AM
AFP
A mammoth security effort has been launched for Chinese leader Xi Jinping's visit to Hong Kong
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.
However, the Chinese leader will likely spend the night in neighbouring Shenzhen on the mainland, according to local media.
"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.
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.
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.
- Patriotism on display -
As of Wednesday, AFP has confirmed that 13 local and international journalists were denied accreditation to cover the handover celebrations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"Are we really embracing this ideology so much?" he told AFP.
