Scholars Criticize Xi’s Hong Kong Handover Anniversary Speech, Saying It Distorted the Facts

Chinese leader Xi Jinping gives a speech on the 25th anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China on July 1, 2022. Selim Chtayti/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s speech in Hong Kong on the 25th anniversary of the city’s handover from Britain to China on July 1 has received criticism from scholars, who say Xi has distorted the facts.

Xi gave a speech after he officiated the swearing-in ceremony of Hong Kong’s new leader John Lee on Friday.