Beijing Officials 'regret' Boycott By Pan-dems

Beijing officials in Hong Kong and the pro-establishment camp have expressed regret over a decision by pan-democrats to boycott a spring reception at the central government's liaison office in Western.

In his opening speech at the reception on Tuesday, the head of the liaison office, Wang Zhimin, said even though Hong Kong operates under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, this does not mean the SAR is exempt from its duty to protect the country's interests.

He stressed that Hong Kong must not be excluded from laws that safeguard the country's security and sovereignty, and must not be allowed to serve as a constitutional "vacuum".

Beijing's top official in the SAR insisted that calls for Hong Kong independence must not be tolerated, and voiced his support for the future enactment of a national anthem law in the SAR, saying it will help strengthen people's patriotism.

Later, Legco president Andrew Leung quoted Wang as saying that it was "regretful" that pan-democratic lawmakers had boycotted the luncheon, because it would have served as a good opportunity for the two sides to exchange views.

The Legco president said his pro-democracy colleagues should not worry about going to the liaison office building, adding that he himself would not mind going into a "tiger's lair and dragon's den" – as long as he had a chance to express Hong Kong people's opinions.

"It's an important luncheon that we can come directly and talk to the liaison office officials directly," he said.

DAB chairwoman Starry Lee quoted Wang as saying that the door of the liaison office is always open to all Hong Kong people.

"But we all understand that communication is two-way. Like this time, they invite the pan-democrats to come but they refuse to come. The communication can't start. I really hope that they treasure every opportunity to communicate," she said.

Lee said there were candid discussions during the lunch over a number of important issues, such as the development of the Greater Bay Area.