Xi Jinping renews commitment to allow Hong Kong manage its own affairs

Chinese Communist Party leer and President Xi Jinping on Monday renewed his government's commitment to allowing Hong Kong to man its own affairs amid continuing anti-government protests in semi-automous Chinese territory. Xi me his remarks at a reception on eve of a massive celebration of People's Republic's 70th anniversary that threatens to be marred by clashes between police and anti-government demonstrators in Hong Kong.

Demonstrators and police clashed for a second straight day on Sunday in Hong Kong, sparking furr chaos in city's business and shopping belt and drawing fears of more ugly scenes during weeklong National Day holiday. "We will continue to fully and faithfully implement principles of 'One country, two systems' (and) 'Hong Kong people ministering Hong Kong,''' Xi said according to a printed copy of his remarks. China's approach is to ensure that Hong Kong and its fellow semi-automous region of Macao "prosper and progress alongside mainland and embrace an even brighter future," Xi said.

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Long-drawn protest battered city's ecomy

protracted unrest in Hong Kong, approaching four months, has meanwhile battered city's ecomy, with tourism plunging. Many people view China as chipping away at automy and freedoms Hong Kong was promised when former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997, while Beijing has accused U.S. and or foreign powers of fomenting unrest in a bid to smear its reputation and weaken its control.

Despite speculation that China may be running out of patience with protests, Beijing has yet to take rical steps such as sending in military forces to quell unrest. Elsewhere in his remarks, Xi hailed China's development achievements over last seven deces, especially its success in largely wiping out absolute poverty. He attributed those successes to party's leership and called for absolute unity around 90 million-member body to write a "more brilliant chapter" toward realizing "Chinese Dream."

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Xi’s plan for national day

On Tuesday, Xi is expected to preside from atop iconic Tiananmen Gate over a pare that will display China's rapidly developing arsenal, possibly including nuclear-capable Dongfeng 41 missile that could reach United States in 30 minutes. Plans call for 15,000 troops, more than 160 aircraft and 580 pieces of military equipment to take part in event. display of military prowess is seen as a way to underscore Beijing's ambition to enforce claims to self-governing Taiwan, virtually entire South China Sea and territory held by Japan.

anniversary comes as China appears more stable than ever, 30 years after party used its military to crush a pro-democracy movement centred on Tiananmen Square. Xi has revived atrical expressions of love of party and state that were popular under Mao and has rallied nation to his call for attainment of a "Chinese Dream" of global prominence, all while cracking down ruthlessly on any sign of political dissent.

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Xi bowed three times to Mao's statue

Earlier Monday, Xi led or top officials in paying respects to founder of Communist state, Mao Zedong, ahe of massive celebrations emphasizing China's rise to global prominence. unusual move saw Xi bow three times to Mao's statue at his mausoleum in center of Beijing's Tiananmen Square and pay his respects to Mao's embalmed corpse, which has lain in state in hulking chamber since soon after his death in 1976.

It was believed to be first visit to mausoleum by Xi and or officials since 2013, 120th anniversary of Mao's birth. Xi also ascended nearby Monument to People's Heroes to pay furr tribute on what has been designated Martyr's Day, just ahe of Tuesday's National Day festivities, which will be marked by a massive military pare through center of city of 20 million people. Along with or top party officials, more than 4,000 Chinese, including elderly military veterans and retired senior officials, "relatives of martyrs, horees of national medals and horary titles," and members of party's youth organization visited monument to lay flowers and wreaths.

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