Empty streets, tight security as Jinping visits Hong Kong for handover anniversary

Flags and commemorative banners declaring a "new era" of stability decorated main roads and walkways as part of the celebrations. 

Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997, under a "one country, two systems" formula which guarantees wide-ranging autonomy and judicial independence not seen in mainland China. In recent years, public protests have become increasingly rare, as dissent is stifled.

Parts of the city have been closed off, and media coverage was tightly restricted. 

Police moved to eliminate any potential source of embarrassment during Xi's time in the city, with national security police making at least nine arrests over the past week, and many of the few remaining opposition groups saying they had been warned off protesting. 

Authorities have sought to portray an image of public support for the celebrations. The city's main newspapers ran all-red full front pages celebrating the anniversary, and pro-Beijing publications ran bumper editions full of advertisements, with the longest running to 188 pages.  

Friday's celebrations began with a flag-raising ceremony at the city's Victoria Harbour, complete with a military flypast and a flotilla spraying plumes of water.

Xi was not present -- local media reported he had spent the night in the neighbouring mainland city of Shenzhen and travelled back into the city on Friday morning. 

All events have been closed to the public, but some scattered groups gathered near the flag-raising ceremony to watch the flypast. 

President Xi Jinping hailed China's rule over Hong Kong on Friday as he led 25th anniversary celebrations of the city's handover from Britain, insisting that democracy was flourishing despite a years-long political crackdown that has silenced dissent.

Xi's speech was the finale of a two-day victory lap aimed at celebrating the Chinese Communist Party's control over the once outspoken business hub after authorities stamped out huge democracy protests.

Since Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020, opposition has been quashed and most leading pro-democracy figures have fled the country, been disqualified from office or jailed.