Protests as Xi Jinping arrives for Hong Kong 20th anniversary
Chinese President’s visit marked by celebrations, arrests and a sit-in

Chinese President Xi Jinping was met with jubilation and demonstrations today on his first trip to Hong Kong in an official visit designed to mark two decades of Chinese rule in the former British territory.
Well-wishers greeted Jinping at the airport, but protesters have been active in the run-up to the visit. Prominent Hong Kong protesters, including Nathan Law and Joshua Wong, were arrested after they staged a sit-in the night before the President's visit.
"For the past 20 years, Hong Kong has always had the strong backing of the central government," the President told crowds at Hong Kong airport on Thursday, encouraging citizens to "look forward to the future, making sure 'one country, two systems' can work smoothly and continue".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
About 11,000 officers will be deployed during the visit and areas of the city will be off limits to the public, The Guardian reports.
An annual protest will take place on 1 July, shortly after the President's departure. According to the Daily Telegraph, the protest is "a call for full democracy".
On 1 July 1997, the UK handed control of Hong Kong to China under what is known as a "one country, two systems" formula, which grants a level of autonomy to Hong Kong that differs from mainland China.
Concerns over the democratic rights of Hong Kong citizens have lingered since the 1997 handover. There were mass protests after Beijing's proposed reforms to the Hong Kong electoral system in 2014. More than 100,000 pro-democracy demonstrators opposed the reforms in what has been dubbed the Umbrella Revolution, due to the activists' usage of umbrellas to protect them from police pepper spray.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - May 7, 2025
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - film industry tariffs, self-deportation, and more
-
Weer at Soho Theatre Walthamstow: a 'silly, seductive, slapstick joy'
The Week Recommends Natalie Palamides' 'tear-inducingly funny' one-woman show opens London's newest venue
-
Can the world stop Israel from starving Gaza?
Today's Big Question Total blockade on food and aid enters its third month, and Israel is accused of 'weaponising starvation'
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical