People hold China's national flags in Central district of Hong Kong to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to Chinese rule, in Hong Kong, Thursday, June 29, 2017. President Xi Jinping inspected troops based in Hong Kong on Friday as he asserts Chinese authority over the former British colony China took control of 20 years ago. Xi rode in an open-top jeep past rows of soldiers lined up on an airstrip on his visit to the People's Liberation Army garrison. He called out “Salute all the comrades” and “Salute to your dedication” as he rode by 3,100 soldiers arranged in 20 formations. Armored personnel carriers, combat vehicles, helicopters and other pieces of military hardware were arrayed behind the troops. It was a rare display of the Chinese military's might in Hong Kong, where it normally maintains a low-key presence. Hong Kong was granted the freedom to run most of its affairs after it came under China's control under the “one country, two systems” principle. However, Beijing is in charge of the city's defense and foreign affairs and the troops based in the city are deployed from the mainland, The Chinese military has its headquarters in a former British base downtown and has other installations around the city but troops are typically confined to base. Xi's three-day visit to mark the anniversary includes presiding at the inauguration of the city's new leader, Carrie Lam, on Saturday. Security has been tight for his visit as authorities brace for protests. (Photo by Kin Cheung/AP Photo)





A woman holding a Chinese flag takes a photo on the tarmac ahead of the arrival of China's President Xi Jinping at Hong Kong's international airport on June 29, 2017. Xi was scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong on June 29 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. (Photo by Anthony Wallace/AFP Photo)





A woman stand in front of the lanterns decorations which are displayed to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to Chinese rule, in Hong Kong, Thursday, June 29, 2017. Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Hong Kong Thursday to mark the 20th anniversary of Beijing taking control of the former British colony. The lantern, left, reads “Hong Kong”. (Photo by Kin Cheung/AP Photo)





Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the People's Liberation Army's Hong Kong Garrison at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong Kong, Friday, June 30, 2017. Xi landed in Hong Kong Thursday to mark the 20th anniversary of Beijing taking control of the former British colony, accompanied by a formidable layer of security as authorities showed little patience for pro-democracy protests. (Photo by Kin Cheung/AP Photo)





Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the People's Liberation Army of the Hong Kong Garrison at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong Kong, Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Kin Cheung/AP Photo)





Visitors pose for a photograph in front of the Chinese soldiers as Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the troops of People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong Kong, Friday, June 30, 2017. Xi inspected troops based in Hong Kong on Friday as he asserts Chinese authority over the former British colony China took control of 20 years ago. (Photo by Kin Cheung/AP Photo)





Chinese soldiers march as Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the troops of People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong Kong, Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Kin Cheung/AP Photo)





Chinese soldiers leave after Chinese President Xi Jinping inspected troops of People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong Kong, Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Kin Cheung/AP Photo)





A Chinese soldier introduces the military equipments to visitors after Chinese President Xi Jinping inspected the troops of People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong Kong, Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Kin Cheung/AP Photo)





Soldiers march before Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the troops of People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong KongFriday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Vincent Yu/AP Photo)





Chinese soldiers leave after Chinese President Xi Jinping inspected troops of People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong Kong, Friday, June 30, 2017. Xi landed in Hong Kong Thursday to mark the 20th anniversary of Beijing taking control of the former British colony, accompanied by a formidable layer of security as authorities showed little patience for pro-democracy protests. (Photo by Kin Cheung/AP Photo)





Soldiers rehearse before being inspected by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong Kong, Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Kin Cheung/AP Photo)





Chinese soldiers march as Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the troops of People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong Kong, Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Kin Cheung/AP Photo)





Chinese soldiers march in before Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the troops of People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong KongFriday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Vincent Yu/AP Photo)





Chinese soldiers stand by as Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the troops of People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong Kong, Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Kin Cheung/AP Photo)





Sweat is wiped off the face of one of soldiers as troops prepare for the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping (unseen) at the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison in one of events marking the 20th anniversary of the city's handover from British to Chinese rule, in Hong Kong, China June 30, 2017. (Photo by Damir Sagolj/Reuters)