‘Rising from the ashes’ – XI Jinping visits Hong Kong

Hong Kong has ‘risen from the ashes’ according to China’s President Xi Jinping

The comments were made during the leader’s visit to the former British colony to celebrate 25 years since it was returned to Chinese rule.

Xi will also swear in the territory’s new Chief Executive John Lee on Friday.

The trip is the Chinese president’s his first visit to Hong Kong since 2017, and his first publicised trip outside mainland China in more than two years.

Weary of the ongoing Covid pandemic, Xi and his wife were wearing masks as they stepped off a high-speed train.

In a speech, Xi said Hong Kong continues to demonstrate a high level of vigour and vitality.