Xi Jinping draws a 'red line' with Hong Kong

At the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, President Xi Jinping took a tough stance against those who dare to challenge mainland authority.

On July 1, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China from Britain and the inauguration of the new Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Carrie Lam, took place.

Hong Kong's new Chief Executive Carrie Lam takes the oath of office under the Chinese flag and before President Xi Jinping. Photo: AP.

At the event, the Chinese President delivered an important speech in which he expressed a tough stance against moves that challenge the central government.

“Any attempt to challenge the authority of the central government... or use Hong Kong to conduct infiltration and sabotage activities on the mainland is an act that crosses the red line and is absolutely forbidden,” Xi said in his speech.

Mr Xi also referred to the “humiliation and sorrow” China suffered during the First Opium War in the early 1840s, which led to the country having to cede Hong Kong to Britain.

President Xi's words in his 30-minute speech were considered the strongest yet for the city of Hong Kong.

At the reception, Chief Executive Carrie Lam spoke in Mandarin instead of Cantonese, the dialect commonly used in Hong Kong and southern China.

Notably, Ms. Lam also pledged to take tough measures against those who “sabotage” China's sovereignty, security and development interests.

Over the years, Hong Kong has seen many protests demanding a curb on what protesters call “Beijing’s interference” in the territory’s politics.

Under Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the financial hub is guaranteed broad autonomy for "at least 50 years" from 1997 under the "one country, two systems" formula.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Hong Kong this time took place in a highly tightened security situation here. Police have blocked many roads./.

According to VOV