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Hong Kong's new Prime Minister John Lee (left) with China's President Xi Jinping
Photo: Selim Chtayti/AP
The decision had already triggered massive criticism from international observers: John Lee is now officially the new head of government in Hong Kong.
China's President Xi Jinping took the oath of office from the 64-year-old, who had been designated for the post since the beginning of May, on Friday in the metropolis.
As the former security chief of the former British crown colony, Lee was largely responsible for the suppression of the pro-democracy movement.
He had been appointed by a Beijing-loyal body as the future prime minister and successor to the outgoing Carrie Lam.
His swearing-in ceremony was held as part of celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China.
On June 30, 1997, the Chinese leadership agreed to respect Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms for another 50 years based on the "one country, two systems" principle.
Hong Kongers were promised at the time that they would be able to enjoy a "high degree of autonomy" and many political freedoms by 2047.
During the celebrations, China's head of state Xi Jinping emphasized that he wanted to stick to the principle.
Xi said everything China has done in dealing with the former British crown colony is "for Hong Kong's benefit."
However, Beijing has massively expanded its influence on the special administrative region in recent years.
Mass protests erupted in 2019 and were brutally suppressed.
In 2020, Beijing imposed a so-called security law on the autonomous region, which massively restricts basic democratic rights such as freedom of expression and assembly.
The new law also repeatedly leads to politically motivated sentences against journalists and activists.
Recently, for example, a pro-democracy radio presenter was sentenced to several years in prison for »riots«.
Blinken speaks of "erosion of autonomy", Johnson sees breach of promise
On the occasion of the anniversary, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized an "erosion of autonomy" in Hong Kong.
It is now clear that those responsible in Hong Kong and Beijing no longer see "democratic participation, fundamental freedoms and independent media" as part of the "one country, two systems" principle.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously accused Beijing of breaking its promises to Hong Kong.
It can no longer be ignored that "Beijing has not been meeting its commitments for some time," Johnson said in a video message the day before the anniversary celebration.
The freedom and rights of Hong Kongers as well as their prosperity are under threat, the premier said.
Xi, on the other hand, recently praised Lee's hard line as a "contribution to safeguarding national security".
fek/dpa/AFP