CE's Report Flags Up HKNP's 'extinction' Aims

Chief Executive Carrie Lam in her report to Beijing has explained the decision to ban the Hong Kong National Party (HKNP), saying the pro-independence group was seeking the "extinction" of mainland Chinese in Hong Kong.

The CE's office on Thursday made public the 12-page document submitted to Beijing two days ago.

In a rare move, the central government in February asked for a report into Secretary for Security John Lee's decision to ban the operation of the party in September last year, on the recommendation of the police.

The full text of Lee's decision is not made public in the report. But the report notes that the HKNP had a history of "openly advocating hostilities towards people of mainland Chinese origin."

It said while the party did not carry out any violent acts, it had "openly stated on multiple occasions that it would not exclude resorting to violence or encouraging its supporters to use violence to achieve Hong Kong independence."

The report said since the HKNP was founded in March 2016, it had been taking "actual steps" to achieve its goal of establishing an independent Republic of Hong Kong, including putting in place a four-year plan.

It stated that convenor Chan Ho-tin had sought to take part in a Legco election, solicited support from overseas, and expanded the party's "platform for propaganda" targeting young people by making use of the press, radio, internet and street booths.

It also noted that Chan gave a talk at the Foreign Correspondents' Club, saying this was to raise the profile of his advocacy for Hong Kong independence.

"The HKNP had openly stated that China was the 'coloniser' of Hong Kong, that people of mainland Chinese origin were the enemies of Hong Kong, and advocated denial of and hostility to Chinese people, extinction of Chinese people in Hong Kong, making Hong Kong a place without Chinese people, and permanently separating Hong Kong from China," the report says.

It adds that the promotion of "such hatred and discrimination" threatens the rights and freedoms of others.

"The considerations given by the secretary were prudent, careful and comprehensive. The secretary’s decision has taken into account not only the individual words or deeds or advocacy of the HKNP, but the case of the HKNP in totality, including its acts, plans and objectives in the past two years or so, and the threats of allowing its continued operation."

The Chief Executive agreed that Lee had solid reasons to ban the party, the report said, and the HKNP's objectives were clearly against the Basic Law and "One Country, Two Systems".

Since the ban, human rights groups and overseas politicians have claimed that the HKNP saga is evidence of Beijing tightening its control on Hong Kong and eroding the city's freedoms.