Hi Jinping : China’s president in landmark visit to Hong Kong

“Now that Hong Kong has returned to the motherland for 20 years the Sino-British Joint Declaration, as a historical document, no longer has any realistic meaning”, Lu was quoted by Xinhua as saying at a press conference.

Pro-democracy activists had staged protests ahead of Mr Xi’s visit and more were expected, with an annual march through the streets planned for tomorrow that has drawn big crowds in the past.

Xi’s visit will culminate in the inauguration of new city leader Carrie Lam, who was appointed by a pro-China committee. Supporters of the rally were kept apart and some of them were confined to a small area, as police outnumbered the supporters and managed to block the protesters from forming a larger gathering.

Hong Kong police confirmed to TIME that three individuals aged 25 to 59 have been taken into custody for criminal damage, in relation to three road signs defaced with graffiti.

The activists were demanding full democracy and the unconditional release of Liu Xiaobo, the activist and Nobel Prize victor. “We hope the relevant people can be aware of the reality”, Lu said.

Tight security contained protesters in Hong Kong Friday night as China’s President Xi Jinping led lavish celebrations to mark 20 years since the politically divided city was handed back to China by Britain. He will also visit the local People’s Liberation Army garrison and meet establishment figures, while his wife, Peng Liyuan, is expected to visit a kindergarten and an elderly home.

During the fall of 2014, more than 100,000 people protested as part of Occupy Central – a response to the Chinese government’s decision to allow partially democratic elections for Hong Kong in 2017. China has shown an increased willingness to impose its will on Hong Kong, despite an agreement with the British to preserve the city’s “high degree of autonomy” until 2047.

It is the vivid expression of the “system confidence” in Hong Kong and a living example to promote the rule of law.

Although young activists have promised to continue protesting during Xi’s visit, other residents said they would celebrate his trip to Hong Kong.

President Xi Jinping Friday called on Hong Kong to leverage its institutional advantage of “one country, two systems” to create new growth drivers and new space for development.

During a meeting with Leung and other top officials later in the day, Xi praised Leung for his work during his five years as chief executive, especially in carrying through the “one country, two systems” principle and defending national security, the Hong Kong Economic Journal reports. It is the most prosperous part of China and also the most free.

“If you can’t trust them in Hong Kong, then it raises questions about where you can trust them”, he said in an interview with Bloomberg TV. The Hong Kong authorities have moved to crack down on separatist sentiment, triggering generational conflicts between young and old.

Hong Kong boasts the third largest population of ultra-high net worth individuals worth at least $30 million in a city, after NY and London, according to a wealth report by the property consultancy Knight Frank.