FCC event ‘entirely inappropriate’: CE
The government will not tolerate any actions advocating “Hong Kong nationalism” and it is “entirely inappropriate” to organize any event under this theme, says Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.
She made the remarks on Sunday responding to the Foreign Correspondents’ Club for inviting Andy Chan Ho-Tin, the convener of Hong Kong National Party, to speak on “Hong Kong nationalism” — the party’s political agenda — during a luncheon on Aug 14.
So far, the speech by Chan is still scheduled to be given, according to the FCC’s website.
Calling the FCC’s move “regrettable and inappropriate”, Lam said the government’s zero tolerance on “Hong Kong nationalism” had nothing to do with interfering with freedom of speech.
Freedom of speech and association and press freedom are all protected by the Basic Law, Lam said. She added that such freedoms could only be enjoyed in accordance with the law.
Article 1 of the Basic Law stipulates that Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China.
Lam said the SAR government welcomed overseas media to work in Hong Kong and respects the FCC’s work in Hong Kong.
According to the CE, the SAR government has been renting a building located in Central to the FCC as its venue since 1982 at market rates, instead of having the club participate in public bidding along with other competitors.
Lam said that because of this she would like to see the FCC respect that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of China.
The CE said the government would curb any “Hong Kong nationalism” advocacy in accordance with the Basic Law; it will fully implement the “one country, two systems” principle to safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
Last Friday, a spokesperson from the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR issued a statement on the issue.
The spokesperson said the office firmly opposes any attempt by any foreign forces to provide a venue for advocacy of “Hong Kong independence”.
The spokesperson also said the office resolutely supports the SAR government’s handling of issues related to the Basic Law and Hong Kong laws.
The HKNP’s open advocacy of separatist activities has undermined the national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, the spokesperson said.
It has contravened the “one country, two systems” principle, and seriously violated the national Constitution, the Basic Law, and other related laws in the SAR, the spokesperson added.
Police in the city have proposed banning the operations of the HKNP on national security grounds on July 17 in accordance with the Societies Ordinance. The HKNP has been given 49 days to send in a written document to explain why such a ban is unnecessary. The deadline is Sept 4.