HONG KONG, JUN 29 (DNA) – President Xi Jinping arrives in Hong Kong on Thursday to mark 20 years since it was handed back to China by Britain, with leading democracy activists already in police custody after a protest in the politically divided city.

The three-day visit is Xi’s first since becoming leader in 2013 and comes at a time when there are growing fears that Beijing is threatening semi-autonomous Hong Kong’s freedoms.

High-profile pro-democracy campaigners including Joshua Wong and young legislator Nathan Law were arrested Wednesday night for causing “public nuisance” after staging a protest outside the convention centre that will host some of the anniversary events, a stone’s throw away from the hotel where Xi will be staying.

More than 20 activists remained in custody Thursday morning as supporters gathered at the police station where they were being held.

“They want to prevent people like Joshua Wong and Nathan Law from going onto the streets,” said fellow activist Derek Lam who was among supporters waiting outside.

The area around the convention centre has been cordoned off by giant water-filled barricades and police have said they are taking “counter terrorism security measures” to ensure Xi’s safety.

Animosity towards Beijing has grown in recent years, particularly among young people.

The failure of mass rallies in 2014 to win democratic reform has sparked a new wave of “localist” activists, keen to emphasise Hong Kong’s own identity, with some calling for a full split from the mainland.

Since the return to China in 1997, the city has been governed under a “one country, two systems” deal that gives it rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and an independent judiciary.

But there are now concerns Beijing is trampling the agreement by interfering in a range of areas, from politics to education and media.

Chinese authorities and local officials insist Hong Kong’s semi-autonomous status is intact, but have railed against calls for self-determination or independence.=DNA

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