Patrick Nip Warns Independence Advocates

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Patrick Nip, on Saturday warned that anyone advocating independence or independence as a possible option may risk being disqualified from running in the District Council elections.

Asked whether Demosisto leader Joshua Wong, who advocates self-determination for Hong Kong and earlier announced that he would run in the election would be disqualified, Nip said he would not comment on individual cases.

But he said election officers will decide whether to allow a candidate to run in accordance with the law, stressing that candidates must uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as a part of China.

"Anyone who advocates independence - or independence as a possible option...clearly that is inconsistent with 'one country, two systems' and the Basic Law," said Nip, who was speaking after an RTHK radio programme on Saturday.

Nip also ruled out using the controversial emergency laws to postpone upcoming district council elections scheduled for November 24, saying the government is committed to holding the elections as scheduled.

But he added that it would have the option to use the District Councils Ordinance to postpone the elections for up to two weeks - if social unrest continues.

"So there is no need - and we would not use the Emergency Regulations Ordinance - to adjourn or postpone the District Council Election," Nip said.

Nip also said that if the elections couldn't be held by the end of this year, the government would seek Legco approval before determining a new date for the elections.

He said in that case there would be a period during which the city would have no district councillors.

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