China marks Hong Kong handover anniversary with panda gift
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Hong Kong leader John Lee said the gift “fully demonstrates (China’s) care and support for our city”.
PHOTO: AFP
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HONG KONG – China will give a pair of giant pandas to Hong Kong as the finance hub marks its 27th year under Chinese rule, city leader John Lee announced on July 1.
The former British colony was handed over to China in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” governance model, which guaranteed key freedoms and a high degree of autonomy.
July 1 was once a day of civil society demonstrations in Hong Kong, but the authorities have cracked down on dissent after huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests
Mr Lee said the gift “fully demonstrates (China’s) care and support for our city” and that the pandas will arrive within months.
He also hailed the passage of a home-grown security law – popularly known as Article 23
The move fulfilled a “constitutional responsibility and historic mission”, Mr Lee said in a speech.
He added his policies have led to a “substantial rise in the registered number of property transactions and a stable property market”.
The city’s gross domestic product is expected to grow between 2.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent in 2024, compared to a 3.3 per cent rise in 2023, Mr Lee said.
More than 4,000 police officers were deployed around the city on July 1, according to the South China Morning Post.
An online concert on June 30 hosted by singer-songwriter and LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) rights activist Denise Ho was interrupted by police citing “nuisance” complaints, according to AFP reporters at the scene. AFP
