'Benny Tai Has Always Supported Independence'

An article published by state media on Monday accused Hong Kong legal scholar Benny Tai of being a long-term advocate of the territory's independence.

A column in the People's Daily said that Tai's articles have always shown he is an advocate of Hong Kong's independence and accused him of using academic freedom to cover up his stance.

Tai has repeatedly denied supporting the idea.

The column said "a sledge hammer" needs to be used against independence advocates as a strong punishment. It said Hong Kong University shouldn't go against the will of mainstream society when it comes to whether to let Tai keep on teaching there.

It accused Tai and his supporters of making "annoying noises" affecting Hong Kong's prosperity, when they say that the SAR's freedoms have been damaged. Only when they shut up, can the public take up opportunities to make Hong Kong better, it said.

In a statement on Sunday, Tai, who was a co-founder of the pro-democracy Occupy Central movement, had said that he is now being subjected to attacks that remind people of the Cultural Revolution.

He said he is being abused because he is a "scholar-teacher-activist" willing to turn his academic knowledge into action.