Self-determination Impossible For HK: Li Fei

A senior mainland official said on Friday that talk of “self-determination” for Hong Kong people is just a euphemism for the advocacy of independence for the city, and both are in breach of the Basic Law.

Li Fei, chairman of the Basic Law Committee, made the comment when he was asked for his reaction to the disqualification of Demosisto’s Agnes Chow from running in next month's Legislative Council by-elections.

Li said he doesn’t think election officers in the SAR come under any pressure when vetting candidates in light of Beijing’s interpretation of the Basic Law on Legco oath-taking, and said returning officers only work in accordance with the law.

Mainland and SAR officials have said the interpretation in 2016 effectively bars pro-independence candidates from becoming lawmakers.

Meanwhile, a vice-chairman of the Basic Law Committee, Zhang Rongshun, said election officers are duty-bound to make sure candidates are eligible to run, as stipulated by the law and decisions of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.

When asked what he thinks authorities should do if any candidates who support self-determination win an election, Zhang said that would depend on their actual behaviour.