China's Xi to visit Hong Kong for handover anniversary

International

25-06-2022, 12:36

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INA-sources

Chinese leader Xi Jinping will visit Hong Kong to celebrate next week's 25th anniversary of the former British colony’s return to China following a crackdown on a pro-democracy movement that has inflamed tension with Washington and Europe.

Xi will attend an anniversary gathering and the first meeting of the new government of Chief Executive John Lee, the official Xinhua News Agency announced Saturday. It gave no indication how long Xi, who is president and general secretary of the ruling Communist Party, might stay or other details.

Xi has avoided trips outside the Chinese mainland since the start of the coronavirus pandemic 2 1/2 years ago. His decision to go to Hong Kong, which struggled to contain a surge in infections this year, reflects the anniversary's importance to Xi, who wants to be seen as leading a “national rejuvenation” amid a military buildup and more assertive Chinese policy abroad.

Source: AP