During his visit to Hong Kong on Thursday to mark 25 years since its handover to Beijing, Chinese president Xi Jinping hailed the city for having “risen from the ashes” and staunchly backed its governing arrangement.

China's president has said Hong Kong had been “reborn of fire” as he visits the city to mark the 25th anniversary of the former British colony’s return to Beijing’s rule.

Fishing boats parade in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor ahead of Friday's 25th anniversary of the city's handover to China.

China says it has always been a victim of the US disinformation campaign, hitting back at Washington's allegations that Beijing has helped Russia produce propaganda against Ukraine.

Since the fifth wave of coronavirus hit Hong Kong this year, it has reported more than a million infections and nearly 8,000 deaths.

Hong Kong slams as “unfounded” and “ridiculous” allegations in the reports issued by the US and the UK about what they call deteriorating democratic rights and freedoms in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

China has placed millions of people under lockdown to stem a surge in coronavirus infections.