Security lockdown as Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Hong Kong begins
Roads closed and parts of Wan Chai and Admiralty no-go zones for start of trip to mark handover anniversary and swearing-in of new government
President Xi Jinping begins his three-day visit to Hong Kong on Thursday under an unprecedented security blanket and on a tight schedule that includes reaching out to youth and other groups, as well as inaugurating a new government on the 20th anniversary of the city’s handover from Britain to China.
According to state television, he will make a speech on arrival at the airport, ahead of his keynote address at the main ceremony on Saturday.
Roads are closed and parts of Wan Chai and Admiralty are no-go zones, while police are taking no chances against the global threat of terrorism with a massive air-land-sea security operation.
According to force insiders, Xi’s bodyguards will not be allowed to carry weapons, under Hong Kong laws. One source said they could seek an exemption from local authorities, but had not done so yet.
On the first day of his packed itinerary, Xi is scheduled to visit the construction site of the West Kowloon Cultural District in the afternoon, where he will oversee the signing of a deal between Beijing and the city on setting up the Hong Kong Palace Museum.
