This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-40428618

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Xi Jinping: Chinese president makes first ever visit to Hong Kong Xi Jinping: Chinese president makes first ever visit to Hong Kong
(35 minutes later)
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Hong Kong to mark 20 years since it was handed back to China by Britain.Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Hong Kong to mark 20 years since it was handed back to China by Britain.
His highly symbolic visit, his first since becoming leader in 2013, comes amid an increasingly tense political climate.His highly symbolic visit, his first since becoming leader in 2013, comes amid an increasingly tense political climate.
Official celebrations are planned, as well as large protests from pro-democracy and pro-Beijing camps.Official celebrations are planned, as well as large protests from pro-democracy and pro-Beijing camps.
Several well-known activists were arrested on the eve of Mr Xi's arrival.Several well-known activists were arrested on the eve of Mr Xi's arrival.
The group, which included student leader Joshua Wong, had staged a protest at an iconic sculpture symbolising the handover.The group, which included student leader Joshua Wong, had staged a protest at an iconic sculpture symbolising the handover.
The golden sculpture of a bauhinia flower - Hong Kong's emblem - by the city's harbour was a gift from China.The golden sculpture of a bauhinia flower - Hong Kong's emblem - by the city's harbour was a gift from China.
Mr Xi arrived for the three-day visit with his wife Peng Liyuan at the city's main Chek Lap Kok airport. The couple was welcomed by a marching band and children waving flags.Mr Xi arrived for the three-day visit with his wife Peng Liyuan at the city's main Chek Lap Kok airport. The couple was welcomed by a marching band and children waving flags.
In a brief speech at the tarmac he said China would support the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong "as it always has". In a brief speech at the tarmac, he said Hong Kong "is always in my heart".
Hong Kong was handed back from the British to Chinese rule in 1997. Beijing's central government "has always been a strong backer of Hong Kong" and "will, as always, support Hong Kong's economic development and improvement of people's lives", he said.
Beijing agreed to govern the territory under "one country, two systems", granting the city its own legal system, limited democracy with multiple political parties, and rights like freedom of assembly and free speech. He also said Beijing was "willing to work with all sectors of Hong Kong's society in maintaining Hong Kong's extraordinary journey these past 20 years", and would "ensure 'one country, two systems' will continue with stability".
The city was handed back from the British to Chinese rule in 1997.
Beijing agreed to govern it under "one country, two systems", granting the city its own legal system, limited democracy with multiple political parties, and rights like freedom of assembly and free speech.
But China's growing influence has been met with unease and concerns that the mainland could undermine Hong Kong's more politically liberal traditions.But China's growing influence has been met with unease and concerns that the mainland could undermine Hong Kong's more politically liberal traditions.
Activists have been campaigning for years for Hong Kong to have more political freedom.Activists have been campaigning for years for Hong Kong to have more political freedom.
Read more about Hong Kong since the handover:Read more about Hong Kong since the handover:
A series of official celebrations are planned for this weekend, as well as the inauguration of Hong Kong's incoming chief executive Carrie Lam.A series of official celebrations are planned for this weekend, as well as the inauguration of Hong Kong's incoming chief executive Carrie Lam.
But parts of Hong Kong are under a tight security lockdown amid worries of further protests, with several major roads closed and sections of the city centre blocked off from the public.But parts of Hong Kong are under a tight security lockdown amid worries of further protests, with several major roads closed and sections of the city centre blocked off from the public.
Thousands of police officers are being deployed across the city and along the route Mr Xi's motorcade will take when it enters the city.Thousands of police officers are being deployed across the city and along the route Mr Xi's motorcade will take when it enters the city.
When former president Hu Jintao visited for the 15-year celebrations in 2012, he was met with hundreds of thousands of protesters, marching against what they saw as Beijing's stifling influence on political reform in the city.When former president Hu Jintao visited for the 15-year celebrations in 2012, he was met with hundreds of thousands of protesters, marching against what they saw as Beijing's stifling influence on political reform in the city.
Tensions spilled over into mass protests in the city centre in September 2014, with calls for full democracy and the resignation of then-Chief Executive CY Leung.Tensions spilled over into mass protests in the city centre in September 2014, with calls for full democracy and the resignation of then-Chief Executive CY Leung.