To the point >

It is to be hoped that Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhang Dejiang’s latest remarks on the advocacy of “Hong Kong independence” have finally enlightened those few separatists in Hong Kong still obsessed with their delusional ideas.

In congratulating members of the Silent Majority for Hong Kong, who were visiting Beijing, for the excellent job they have been doing fighting independence advocacy in the SAR, the top State leader in charge of Hong Kong affairs once again underscored the central government’s determination in safeguarding the “One Country, Two Systems’’ principle — which is essentially intended to promote national unity while maintaining the long-term prosperity of Hong Kong.

This bottom line of the central government’s policy toward Hong Kong has been set at the very beginning in conceiving the idea of setting up a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has been persistently and vigorously protected by the central government over the past 19 years. Anyone who tries to step on this in whatever disguise must be deluded.

Beijing has never budged on matters of principle, be it in regard to domestic affairs or in its international dealings — as have been evidenced by many historical events. There is simply no way it will compromise on this particular bottom line, which is of the utmost significance to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong as well as to national unity and sovereignty.

The advocacy of “Hong Kong independence” is a blatant challenge to “One Country”. It could threaten the smooth implementation of “Two Systems”, which is a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity. If left unchecked, proindependence advocacy will lead to social division and unrest which will undermine investors’ confidence in the city’s future. This would be disastrous to Hong Kong, whose small open economy relies very much on foreign investment.

Hong Kong people are well aware of the toxicity of separatism advocacy in the city. This is evidenced in their vocal objections to the proindependence antics staged by some separatist legislators-elect in the Legislative Council during the oath-taking ceremony on Oct 12. Political opportunists must realize that there is no way Hong Kong people will allow them to stake the overall well-being of society on a gamble doomed to lose. They also must not underestimate the central government’s determination to safeguard its bottom line — zero tolerance for separatism.