No Opium Or Lipstick: What Not To Bring To A Chinese Base

A group of guests invited to a Chinese military base in Hong Kong has been banned from bringing in an exhaustive list of items.

On the 20th anniversary of Britain ceding control of the former colony, 1,500 outsiders received a rare insight into barracks life at the Shek Kong People's Liberation Army base in the territory. 

But before they were allowed to enter they were banned from bringing an extensive, and rather unlikely, list of objects.

The list included (among other items):

• Opium
• Pens 
• Contraceptives 
• Lipstick 
• Marijuana
• Eye drops 
• Perfume 
• Pets
• Sunscreen
• Microwave transmission equipment
• Fruit

Umbrellas, meanwhile, were given their own separate category on the blacklist, after becoming symbolic of the city's pro-democracy movement, dubbed the "Umbrella Revolution", in 2014.

The military said in a statement that the objects had been banned to "ensure security", while reporters also had items such as taxi receipts, water, mints and a 4G dongle confiscated.

Guests were treated to a military display which included President Xi Jinping riding in an open-top military vehicle past 20 troop formations.

Armoured personnel carriers, combat vehicles, helicopters and other pieces of military hardware were arrayed behind the troops.

People's Liberation Army soldiers also handed guests goody bags filled with camouflage hats, flags, water, biscuits, and a bun.

Mr Xi said one of the purposes of his trip is to plan for Hong Kong's future:

"We would like to look back at the 20 years of Hong Kong's extraordinary journey, learn from our experiences, and look forward to the future, to ensure the stable development of 'one country, two systems".

Pro-democracy activists staged protests ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit, meanwhile. 

Police arrested 26 pro-democracy activists for staging a sit-in on Wednesday evening at a giant flower sculpture given as a present by Beijing near the hotel complex where Mr Xi is staying.

They were later freed on bail.

Cover image a library photo of Hong Kong police officers in training.