‘HK has no room for independence’

> Chief executive delivers final policy address

HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s unpopular pro-Beijing leader Leung Chun-ying ( pix) faced protests yesterday as he spoke out against the city’s independence movement in his final policy address.

Leung will step down in July after a fouryear term marked by anti-Beijing rallies as fears grow that Chinese authorities are squeezing Hong Kong’s freedoms.

Frustration at lack of political reform has sparked movements seeking selfdetermination or even independence for the semi-autonomous city, angering China.

As he struggled to start his speech due to heckling, some pro-democracy lawmakers held up signs depicting Leung as a monkey and calling him a “liar”.

“As we benefit from the opportunities brought by the development of our country and the national policies in our favour, we must clearly recognise that Hong Kong is an inalienable part of our country,” Leung said in the annual address.

“This is both a legal fact and an internationally recognised political reality, leaving no room whatsoever for Hong Kong to become independent or separate from the motherland in any manner,” he added.

Residents must “safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity”, said Leung, who did not mention any plans for kickstarting democratic reform, after a controversial Beijingbacked package was shelved following protests in 2014.

Amnesty International Hong Kong last week said human rights were at their worst since the city was handed back to China by Britain in 1997, in the wake of the disappearance of five city booksellers known for publishing salacious titles about Chinese leaders, and interference by Beijing in a range of areas, from media to education.

The government has also been accused of a witch hunt after two pro-independence lawmakers were forced to give up their seats last year. Four more pro-democracy legislators face a judicial review into whether they should be disqualified.

However, Leung said the city still enjoyed a high degree of autonomy and pledged his government would “uphold Hong Kong’s core values, including human rights, liberty, democracy, the rule of law and integrity”.

In an address which lasted over two hours and mainly focused on the economy and domestic issues, Leung framed the city’s economic strategy within Beijing’s latest fiveyear plan and its One Belt, One Road initiative, which calls for constructing vast rail and infrastructure links connecting Chinese exporters to markets across Eurasia.

Around 100 gathered outside the legislature, protesting over pension funds and workers’ rights. – AFP