Police prep for presidential visit

June 28, 2022

Police today said they are preparing for a possible visit to Hong Kong by President Xi Jinping and will take appropriate measures to ensure his safety and the security of the events he will attend.

 

President Xi is scheduled to attend a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

 

At a press conference this afternoon, Police Assistant Commissioner (Operations) Lui Kam-ho said the department is duty-bound to ensure President Xi's personal safety and security, and make sure that the official events he will attend and other related functions are conducted in a safe, orderly and secure manner.

 

As such, Police will put in place a series of security measures, including the provision of motorcade escorts and personal protection to the President, ensuring the venue security of those official and celebration events, and setting up core security zones at the venues where he will stay, visit and pass by as well as security zones outside the venues.

 

Road closures and temporary traffic and pedestrian diversions will also be arranged, such as the temporary closure of footbridges and flyovers during the passage of President Xi's motorcade.

 

Mr Lui noted that Admiralty and the Wan Chai North area will be affected the most between June 30 and July 1, urging motorists to avoid driving to those areas.

 

“The Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre peninsula to the north of Convention Avenue will be closed. All guests and vehicles entering the area will be subject to security screening.

 

“The MTR Exhibition Centre Station will be temporarily closed. It is believed that traffic congestion is very likely in the Wan Chai North area.”

 

As there will be frequent flying tasks deployed by the Government Flying Service and Police throughout the security operation, the Civil Aviation Department will designate temporary restricted flying zones in the vicinity of Victoria Harbour and several designated areas. Aircraft and flying objects will be restricted from entering such areas.

 

After conducting a risk assessment, the force also decided to designate the entire area in Hong Kong as a small-unmanned aircraft restricted flying zone temporarily.

 

Mr Lui added that Police have not received any application for public meetings so far, but the department will set up designated public activity areas outside the security zones to facilitate members of the public to hold such events.

Back to top