Pan-dems Should Avoid Independence Row: Ronny Tong

Executive Council member Ronny Tong says the pan-democratic camp should steer clear of any talk of independence for the city, or associating with anyone who advocates the idea.

Tong's warning comes after some pan-dems accused mainland official Qiao Xiaoyang of taking a hard line on the issue with his comment on Saturday that any calls for independence would be intolerable.

Qiao, a former chairman of the NPC's Law Committee, also said that calls for independence are not covered under the territory's freedom of speech, prompting Civic Party leader Alvin Yeung to respond that such tough talk from Beijing officials wouldn't be needed if the SAR had good governance.

After taking part in a radio programme on Sunday, Tong said the pan-democrats should not be surprised that Qiao offered his opinion on the matter and they should be careful not to appear to back any suggestion of independence for the city.

"I think it would not be helpful for the pan-democrats to project an image that they are siding with those advocating independence or being on the same front as those advocating independence," Tong said.

"I do not think that will be helpful in bridging the gap between Beijing and Hong Kong. I think that was a rather soft way of stating the obvious and Mr Qiao wasn't trying to coerce anybody or suggest any extreme measures to be taken to any suggestions of independence."

Qiao arrived in Hong Kong last week for a series of talks and seminars where he has promoted the Chinese constitution.