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China’s Xi Jinping hails progress in integrating Hong Kong and Macau in speech ahead of Lunar New Year
- Chinese leader also says Beijing has ‘strongly opposed separatist acts of Taiwan independence’ and ‘interference by foreign forces’
- He makes the comments at annual state gathering to celebrate Lunar New Year attended by senior officials, generals and prominent scholars
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Yuanyue Dangin Beijing
Beijing has succeeded in further supporting the integration of Hong Kong and Macau with the mainland over the past year, Chinese President Xi Jinping said ahead of Lunar New Year.
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Xi made the remarks at a state Lunar New Year gathering in Beijing on Thursday morning, according to official news agency Xinhua.
The annual gathering was hosted by Premier Li Qiang and attended by many serving and retired senior officials and generals, as well as a number of prominent scholars.
As he did in previous years, Xi mentioned Hong Kong and Macau, as well as Taiwan, in his speech.
“We have actively supported the better integration of Hong Kong and Macau into the overall development of the country,” Xi said.
On Taiwan, he said Beijing had “strongly opposed separatist acts of Taiwan independence and interference by foreign forces, and resolutely defended the country’s sovereignty, security and development interests”.
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