Xi in Hong Kong for the 25th anniversary of the return of the city to China

(ANSA) - BEIJING, June 30 - Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the afternoon at Hong Kong's West Kowloon high-speed railway station in view of the June 1 celebrations on the 25th anniversary of the return of the city from London to Beijing.

Local media reports.

Xi, who is visiting the former colony as president for the second time since 2017, will also attend the swearing-in ceremony of new governor John Lee.

    Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, aboard a special train, were greeted by a limited group of supporters waving Chinese and Hong Kong flags, chanting 'Welcome, welcome!

A warm welcome! '.

   Xi's is the first trip out of mainland China since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic: his last mission abroad was to Burma in January 2020.

    The facts have shown that the "model 'one country of two systems' is given proof of great vitality ": Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his short speech after his arrival in Hong Kong broadcast by the Beijing media.

"There has been some turbulence in the last two years, but the model has been brought back to life and is what can ensure long-term prosperity and stability," added Xi.

   (HANDLE).