CHINA: Chinese President Hu Jintao says Hong Kong should "look forward" upon his arrival at the former British colony to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its return to China

Record ID: 872830

  • Title: CHINA: Chinese President Hu Jintao says Hong Kong should "look forward" upon his arrival at the former British colony to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its return to China
  • Date: 30th June 2012
  • Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (JUNE 29, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF AIR CHINA PLANE ARRIVING ON TARMAC VARIOUS OF MARCHING BAND STANDING IN FRONT OF PLANE
  • Embargoed: 15th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • City:
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAA76WJRKQTPL3BKFA6BWC5M6V1
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  • Story Text: Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Hong Kong on Friday (June 29) to oversee the swearing-in of Hong Kong's new leader on the 15th anniversary of the handover on Sunday (July 1).
    Hong Kong is a liberal, global financial centre agitating for full democracy in 2017, making it both an asset and a potentially dangerous precedent for China where people are becoming increasingly intolerant of rights abuses and curtailed freedoms.
    China had been hoping for a smooth transition of power from outgoing Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang to his Beijing-backed successor, Leung Chun-ying, but a series of scandals that has infuriated the public, and undermined the government's reputation as clean and honest, makes that unlikely.
    Upon his arrival, Hu said Hong Kong should look ahead to the future.
    "The central government is willing to work with people from all walks of life in Hong Kong to seriously summarise the precious experiences from the past 15 years, unite together, look forward, and continue to push forward the practice of 'one country two systems'," Hu said.
    China's leaders have sought to pacify Hong Kong's sometimes restive citizens with economic sweeteners.
    Hu will hand out gifts during his visit including new offshore yuan currency initiatives and plans to integrate the reach of Hong Kong's financial and offshore yuan services into Qianhai, a new development zone in southern China.
    The Chinese president will leave Hong Kong after the inaugural ceremony on Sunday (July 1) before a planned protest later in the day calling for full democracy, human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong and mainland China.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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