Xi Jinping was on a three-day visit to Macau on the 20th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule PHILIP FONG/GETTY IMAGESChina’s president has praised Macau for its patriotism and warned that Beijing would not stand quiet in the face of interference from “external forces” after the protests in Hong Kong. Speaking on the 20th anniversary of the return of Macau to Chinese rule, Xi Jinping praised the long-term prosperity and stability of the centre of Chinese gambling as a testament to the arrangement China calls “one country, two systems”. Mr Xi cautioned foreign governments from challenging China’s governance of the two territories, echoing other Chinese officials who have blamed Britain and others in the West for inciting the turmoil in Hong Kong. “The will of the Chinese government and the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests is as firm as a…

Source: The Times December 20, 2019 09:00 UTC