'Beijing's Tighter Grip Will Cause More Resistance'

Former Legco president Tsang Yok-sing said on Friday that Beijing's tightening grip on the SAR will lead to a "vicious circle" and that more and more people will start resisting the central government.

Tsang, the founder and former chairman of the pro-Beijing DAB party, made the remark when asked what he makes of a recent flurry of statements on SAR affairs by the state council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO).

Earlier this week, the office called for the "political virus" that is Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters to be eradicated.

Speaking after taking part in an interview with veteran Democrat Emily Lau, Tsang also addressed the current deadlock in Legco's House Committee, an issue the HKMAO has demanded be resolved, including via the prosecution of pro-democracy legislators if necessary.

Tsang described the situation in Legco as "abnormal" and "very worrying".

As he spoke, there were scuffles taking place at a House Committee meeting, with lawmakers dragging each other around a conference room, numerous pan-dems being carried out by security guards, and one, Andrew Wan, taken away on a stretcher by an ambulance crew.

Tsang called for dialogue to prevent tensions from rising further.

"If everybody still believes that we should try our best to put 'One Country, Two Systems' back on the right track, that we should resolve our differences by working out a way forward which can be acceptable to all stakeholders, then we have to find a way to try to break the vicious circle," Tsang said.

"It's so easy when we have arrived at this point for everybody to stick to their own position. I can't see any good coming from that."

Tsang said it is essential that democracy reigns in the Legislative Council.

"For the institution to function properly, you need a consensus among all the different parties. You need a common purpose to allow the council to work. This is important," he said.

"So the majority always has to understand and respect the wishes of the minority. Of course, the minority should also abide by the rule that the decisions should be taken by the majority," he added.

Pan-democrats have been filibustering House Committee meetings since last October, preventing the election of a chairperson to enable normal day-to-day business to be dealt with.

This business includes a highly controversial new law which will make it illegal for people to "insult" the national anthem.

Each armed with their own external legal advice, both camps in Legco now claim the right to lead House Committee proceedings.