(CNN)Chinese leader Xi Jinping has left mainland China for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, arriving in Hong Kong Thursday ahead of the 25th anniversary of the city's handover from British to Chinese rule.
Xi is expected to spend two days in the financial hub and attend a series of official events to mark both the July 1 handover and the inauguration ceremony of the city's next Beijing appointed leader John Lee, a former police officer and security chief.
In the almost 900 days since Xi last left the mainland on January 17, 2020, his diplomatic activities have been limited to virtual summits and video conferences, lending particular significance to his Hong Kong trip.
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Xi arrived in the city Thursday afternoon, via high-speed train from the Chinese border city of Shenzhen, whereupon he was met by a large crowd waving national flags and chanting in unison: "Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome."
He was then led along a red carpet, as colorful lion dancers performed, adding to the din of drumming, chanting and trumpets.
Xi was first greeted by Hong Kong's departing Chief Executive Carrie Lam and her top officials. After exchanging a few words, Xi and his delegation slowly made their way through the station, waving to the crowd and speaking with other officials present.
"It has been more than five years since my last visit to Hong Kong. Over the past five years, I have been paying close attention to Hong Kong and caring about it," said Xi in a short speech afterward.
"Over the past few years, Hong Kong has withstood one severe test after another and overcome one risk and challenge after another. After weathering the storms, Hong Kong has emerged from the ashes with vigorous vitality."
Leaving the Covid bubble
Xi's arrival coincides with forecasts of a typhoon bringing heavy winds and rain, and comes after weeks of uncertainty as to whether he would risk leaving mainland China's stringent zero-Covid bubble, to travel to a city now reporting more than 1,000 new Covid cases a day.
Under Xi, China stands isolated from the world in pursuing a zero-tolerance approach to the virus with the country's international borders shut and travel strictly curtailed.
Xi reaffirmed the policy on Wednesday during a symbolic visit to Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the virus first emerged in late 2019, saying that he would rather "temporarily sacrifice a little economic growth" than "harm people's health," according to state news agency Xinhua.
"If we calculate the total costs and benefits, our Covid policies are the most economical and effective," Xi said, adding that China had the ability to continue its zero-Covid approach "until the final victory."
While Hong Kong has been heavily influenced by Beijing's uncompromising health policies, implementing strict quarantine and border controls, as well as enforced social distancing measures, it has so far avoided the type of prolonged city-wide lockdowns or compulsory mass testing seen in mainland cities such as Shanghai and Xi'an.
In advance of Xi's visit, Hong Kong imposed a range of Covid restrictions. As of last week, top officials have been forbidden from attending public events and restricted to using private vehicles when commuting. They have also been tested daily for Covid, and must spend Thursday night in a quarantine hotel before Friday's handover ceremony.
Arriving in a changed city
The last time Xi visited Hong Kong to mark the handover was in 2017, for the 20th anniversary, when he was met with streets full of pro-democracy protesters.
But no protests are expected this year. Most Hong Kong pro-democracy groups have disbanded following the enactment of the city's sweeping national security law two years ago.
A subsequent crackdown saw nearly all of Hong Kong's leading pro-democracy figures, including activists and politicians, either jailed or forced into exile.
An art installation has been set up on the harbor ahead of 25th anniversary celebrations on July 1.
Of the organizations that remain, none have applied for permits to stage peaceful protests during Xi's trip, according to police. The League of Social Democrats, one of the few surviving pro-democracy political parties, said it would not stage any protests after several members met with national security police.
The Hong Kong government has repeatedly defended the national security law, saying it has restored order to the city, which was rocked by pro-democracy, anti-government protests in 2019.
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Venues closed, no-fly zone
Taking no chances, police have ramped up security and shut down areas close to key venues. Pedestrian footbridges, highways and one train station in some of the busiest areas of Hong Kong have been temporarily closed for Thursday and Friday.
A no-fly zone has also been established across the city's harbor, with drone use restricted throughout Xi's visit.
Authorities have also heavily restricted media access to the handover celebrations, a far cry from the open reporting environment and freewheeling local press of years past.
According to the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), at least 10 journalists working for local and international organizations had their applications to cover the events rejected for "security reasons."
"With media unable to send journalists on the ground, the HKJA expresses utmost regret over the rigid reporting arrangements made by the authorities for such a major event," the press group said on Tuesday.
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Xi Jinping leaves mainland China for the first time since the beginning of pandemic - CNN
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