China marks Hong Kong handover anniversary with panda gift

Pro-Beijing supporters wave China flags on the edge of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour as the city marks the 27th anniversary of the Handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China on Monday, July 1, 2024. - AFP

HONG KONG (AFP): China will gift a pair of giant pandas to Hong Kong as the finance hub marked its 27th year under Chinese rule, city leader John Lee announced Monday.

The former British colony was handed over to China in 1997 under a "One Country, Two Systems" governance model, which guaranteed key freedoms and a high degree of autonomy.