Beijing presents Hong Kong with pandas to mark the anniversary of their return to China
Beijing will give Hong Kong a pair of Giant Pandas on the 27th anniversary of the handover of the former British colony to China. The announced Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee stated that the gift represents China's "care and support for our city". The Pandas are expected to arrive in the coming months.
At the same time, Lee praised the passing of the Hong Kong National Security Law in March, which now exists alongside the one imposed by Beijing. With this, a "constitutional responsibility and historic mission" has been fulfilled, Lee said.
The Chinese Special Administrative Region Hong Kong was previously known as a bastion of freedom of speech in China. At the handover of the former British colony to China on 1st July 1997, Beijing promised to uphold the principle "one country, two systems", which guaranteed the people numerous civil rights, for 50 years. This status of Hong Kong as an economic hub of global significance was secured.
The 1st of July was once a day when civil society demonstrations took place in Hong Kong. However, the authorities have since taken a hard line against dissenting opinions. After massive and at times violent pro-democratic protests in 2019, the authorities have cracked down on such activities.
- The pair of Giant Pandas, a symbol of China's care and support, will be sent from Beijing to Hong Kong on the 27th anniversary of the city's handover.
- Despite the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997, which secured its status as a global economic hub, the city has seen a decrease in freedom of speech in recent years.
- In celebration of the 27th anniversary of the handover, China's Giant Pandas will be a symbol of friendship and coexistence between Beijing and Hong Kong.
- The anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong from the UK to China in 1997 marks a significant milestone, and the city has been under China's Special Administrative Region since that time.
