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Hong Kong Leader Reflects on China's National Holiday

Hong Kong Leader Reflects on China’s National Holiday

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Thursday commemorated National Day of the People’s Republic of China by praising the “return of peace” in semi-autonomous Hong Kong.

 

The holiday is extra charged this year because Beijing recently passed a new national security law for Hong Kong, which is contributing to the suppression of the democratic movement in Hong Kong. Thousands of riot police have been mobilized to put a stop to pro-democracy manifestations.

The People’s Republic celebrated its foundation annually on October 1 by then-leader Mao Zedong in 1949. In the former British Crown Colony of Hong Kong, the holiday is an opportunity for part of the population to express their anger at Beijing’s desire for the freedoms of Hong Kong. To reverse.

The 1997 treaty China concluded with the United Kingdom to regulate the handover of Hong Kong established the principle of ‘one country, two systems’.

Unlike communist China, Hong Kong has a democratic system, a free-market economy and an independent judiciary on that principle. According to critics, Beijing has broken the new security law with “one country, two systems.”

Helicopters with Chinese and Hong Kong flags flew over Hong Kong on Thursday while Lam and Chinese officials attended an official memorial under the watchful eye of security forces.

“The past few months have shown indisputably that peace has returned to our society,” the leader said in her speech. “Our country’s national security is protected in Hong Kong, and our citizens can again exercise their rights and freedoms following the laws,” she added.

Last year, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China sparked violent clashes between protesters and Hong Kong police. The authorities have banned all demonstrations this year, for security reasons and due to measures to combat the coronavirus, which prevent public gatherings of more than four people.

According to a police source, there are 6,000 police officers on the move in Hong Kong this year, twice as many as expected.

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