In photos: Hong Kong marks 25th handover anniversary

July 1 marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's 1997 handover from British to Chinese rule, the halfway point in Beijing's 50-year promise of "a high degree of autonomy" for the city under a framework known as "one country, two systems." In picture, a flag raising ceremony is held at the Golden Bauhinia Square to mark the 25th anniversary of the former British colony's return to Chinese rule, in Hong Kong, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday defended his vision of the “one country, two systems” framework against accusations by the U.S., U.K. and others that Beijing has undermined the freedoms and autonomy promised to Hong Kong for 50 years. In picture, Jinping gives a speech following a swearing-in ceremony to inaugurate the city's new government in Hong Kong Friday, July 1, 2022, on the 25th anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China. (AP)

Hong Kong's new Chief Executive John Lee, left, walks with China's President Xi Jinping following Xi's speech after a ceremony to inaugurate the city's new leader and government in Hong Kong Friday, July 1, 2022, on the 25th anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China. (AP)

China's President Xi Jinping, center, gives a speech following a swearing-in ceremony to inaugurate the city's new leader and government in Hong Kong Friday, July 1, 2022, on the 25th anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China. (AP)

Hong Kong's outgoing Chief Executive Carrie Lam, center right, speaks to an attendee during a ceremony to inaugurate the city's new leader and government in Hong Kong Friday, July 1, 2022, on the 25th anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China. (AP)

A TV screen shows the live broadcast of China's President Xi Jinping's speech following a swearing-in ceremony to inaugurate the city's new leader and government in Hong Kong, Friday, July 1, 2022. The city on Friday marked the 25th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule. (AP)

Police officers stand guard near the Convention and Exhibition Center, where Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend an inauguration ceremony for the new, sixth term government in Hong Kong, Friday, July 1, 2022. Hong Kong’s incoming and outgoing leaders attended a flag-raising ceremony Friday marking the 25th anniversary of the return to Chinese rule for the city pulled in recent years under much tighter Communist Party control. (AP)