Xi Jinping: challenging Chinese sovereignty in Hong Kong crosses a ‘red line’

Speaking to a crowd of more than 2,000 officials following Carrie Lam’s inauguration as chief executive, Xi warned young Hongkongers to have a ‘full understanding’ of China’s constitution

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President Xi Jinping speaks following Carrie Lam’s swearing-in ceremony. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 11:30am, 1 Jul 2017Updated: 3:21pm, 3 Jul 2017

President Xi Jinping has issued the clearest warning yet against challenges to China’s sovereignty by forces in Hong Kong, calling it a “red line”, as he presided over the 20th anniversary of the city’s handover from British to Chinese rule.

Speaking before the elite of Hong Kong after the inauguration of the city’s next leader, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Xi called on young people to have a “full understanding” of China’s constitution, which he said forms the basis for Hong Kong as well as the policy of “one country, two systems”.

Xi also asked the new administration to focus its energies on development, which he said would be the key to resolving the city’s problems.

“Today, the new SAR government is officially inaugurated. It shoulders major responsibilities and has a lofty mission to perform,” Xi said. “It is my hope that in the next five years, the HKSAR government will unite people of all sectors in Hong Kong to fully and faithfully implement the principle of ‘one country, two systems’.”

Alluding to Hong Kong’s lack of a law on national security, Xi said: “Hong Kong needs to improve its systems to uphold national sovereignty, security and development interests.

“Now that Hong Kong has returned to China, it is all the more important for us to firmly uphold China’s sovereignty, security and development interests,” Xi said.

Any attempt to endanger China’s sovereignty and security, challenge the power of the central government and the authority of the Basic Law, “or use Hong Kong to carry out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is an act that crosses the red line, and is absolutely impermissible”, he said.