China’s first lady Peng Liyuan expected to join Xi Jinping on two-day visit to Hong Kong for July 1 celebrations
- She is likely to visit the Xiqu Centre for Chinese opera after arriving on Thursday, says government source
- Heavy police presence and high-profile patrols are deployed in the area, police warn no acts of violence or public disorder will be tolerated
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to be accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan during his two-day visit to Hong Kong this week, the Post has learned.
But she will not join Xi on his tour of the Hong Kong Science Park in Tai Po after the pair’s expected arrival in the city on Thursday at the West Kowloon high-speed rail terminus.
A government source said Peng was likely to visit the Xiqu Centre for Chinese opera next to the railway station at the junction of Canton Road and Austin Road West.
“Security arrangements are ready for her possible visit,” the insider said. “A security lockdown will be put in place around the centre on Wednesday night once her itinerary is confirmed.”
The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority said on its website the centre would be closed from Monday to Friday due to “operational matters”. The MTR exit linked to the centre was also closed.
The preparations for the lockdown around the West Kowloon railway station began on Tuesday night. Police set up posts spaced 10 to 20 metres apart along Wui Man Road, Lin Cheung Road and Jordan Road, in addition to water-filled barricades to control access to the area.
