Hong Kong Marks 26th Anniversary of Handover

This year's flag-raising ceremony marks the 26th anniversary of the territory’s handover from British to Chinese rule. Joined by representatives and military officials from Beijing on stage, Hong Kong leader John Lee warned Hong Kong citizens against forces aiming to target China describing some of them as "lurking in Hong Kong.” "We must be vigilant, spontaneously safeguard national security, and fully and accurately implement the one country, two systems policy.” He also vowed to further integrate Hong Kong into China's overall development. "We will actively attract strategic enterprises and leverage Hong Kong's unique advantage of being backed by our motherland while connecting with the world.” Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule on July 1st, 1997, but under one condition: a "one country, two systems" formula. The policy guarantees wide-ranging autonomy and judicial independence not seen in mainland China. Critics say that promise has since been eviscerated.