China's President Xi arrives in Hong Kong for handover anniversary

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Hong Kong to mark 25 years since the former British colony returned to Beijing's rule.

It is his first visit outside mainland China since the start of the pandemic nearly two-and-a-half years ago.

He said Hong Kong had "risen from the ashes" after a series of challenges.

China took control over the territory after pro-democracy protests in 2019-20 and has been accused by critics of crushing Hong Kong's freedoms.

Mr Xi, who travelled by high-speed train, was greeted at the station by pupils holding flowers and waving flags of China and Hong Kong. read more