'Challenge Against Au Nok-hin Won't Add To Rift'

The vice-chairman of Beijing's top political think tank on Hong Kong said on Tuesday that he does not think a legal challenge against the validity of Au Nok-hin's candidacy in Sunday's by-election would worsen the division in society.

Lau Siu-kai was speaking as members from the pro-Beijing Federation of Trade Unions planned to file an application for a judicial review against the opposition legislator-elect. They claim that Au once burned a copy of the Basic Law.

But the pan-democrats claim it was a prop that Au had set alight.

Lau said as long as the challengers can provide strong evidence to show that Au is a separatist, or that he does not respect the Basic Law, there won't be much conflict as the society will accept court's decision.

He said he believes If Au ends up being disqualified, there will be some conflict, but said reactions would be more severe than when the elected lawmakers were disqualified two years ago.

Lau also told RTHK's Janice Wong Au also needs to explain his actions clearly.

Meanwhile Chief Executive Carrie Lam stayed away from the subject while speaking before the weekly Exco meeting, but said she respects the judicial reviews and election petitions as they are a part of the electoral system.