Independence Advocacy A Threat To HK: Qiao

Senior mainland figures have used a seminar on the Basic Law to lash out at the notion of Hong Kong independence – and to praise Beijing's interpretations of the mini-constitution.

The former chairman of the Law Committee of the National People's Congress, Qiao Xiaoyang, said calls for Hong Kong independence are absolutely intolerable and they violate the constitution and the wishes of all Chinese people.

Qiao also reiterated that the advocacy for independence is not a matter of freedom of speech, as it undermines the 'One Country Two Systems' principle and threatens the interests of all Hong Kong people.

But Civic Party leader Alvin Yeung said calls for independence stem from poor governance. He said if the government did better, Hong Kong people would be less worried, and it would be more difficult for such calls to spread.

Yeung said instead of making strongly worded remarks, Beijing officials should show the greatest sincerity in upholding the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle.

Meanwhile, speaking at the same seminar, the legal chief of the central government's Liaison Office, Wang Zhenmin, said the Basic Law couldn't always keep up with the pace of Hong Kong's development – and this was normal.

He said the National People's Congress had kept the mini constitution youthful by helping it adapt to the progress and needs of the SAR through interpretations.

Wang pointed to the NPC's six interpretations since the handover, saying they had not violated the Basic Law.

______________________________