Security, rain make for muted start to Xi’s Hong Kong anniversary visit

HONG KONG — A brewing typhoon warning and a strict closed loop system made for a muted beginning to President Xi Jinping's visit to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China on Thursday.

Xi's trip is a show of strength and pomp for the Communist Party, showcasing its control after a political crackdown that quashed dissent in the once outspoken city.

But at a mall next to the high-speed rail terminus where Xi arrived, a salesperson surnamed Luk said he felt the trip was "low-key" and said he knew little about it.

"I don't feel the city is in a festive mood for his visit," said Luk, 42.

"I still think 25th anniversary is worth celebrating, it's a milestone in terms of time, though it's hard to say we are in a better spot today."

The visit is taking place in a strict closed loop system, with Xi and anyone he comes into contact with cut off from the rest of the city and forced to spend days in quarantine hotels.

In the mall, a 23-year-old postgraduate student who gave her name as Natalie said she felt distant from the Chinese leader.

"We all know that [Xi] won't actually come into contact with everyday people. So I don't see why I have to pay attention," she said.

Some on social media pointedly shared decades-old pictures of visits by Queen Elizabeth II to Hong Kong, with visibly more relaxed security and close proximity to spectators.

But others AFP spoke to throughout the day were more understanding.

"Of course I want to see the president if possible," said a 76-year-old woman surnamed Xu. "But we are just small ordinary people. Watching TV will be fine too."

Details of Xi's visit have been kept under tight wraps, with media access tightly restricted.

Kelvin Lam, a financial professional in his 40s, said he could understand the reason for COVID-related restrictions.

"But I think it would be better if they make things less secretive," he said. "More transparency is better."

Thunderstorms swept through the city all day Thursday, with the city's weather service warning that it would launch a typhoon warning later that night.

At a wet Victoria Park, previously the scene of annual July 1 rallies but this year the site of scattered displays about the handover, those who had braved the weather forecast were unimpressed by what was on offer. 

"I think it's too simple," a woman in her 40s called Liu said. "They could have made it prettier."

The lingering pandemic, the weather and the lack of public access have all combined to constrain the impact of Xi's visit outside of his tightly sealed bubble ahead of the official anniversary event on Friday.

"People are doing all this things because the number [of 25] is significant," said Natalie.

"But nothing real is happening, and tomorrow is just a normal day for me." — AFP