Αrt2601 Κυριακη 5 Μαρτίου 2017
China's Two Sessions 2017
Calls for Hong Kong independence will lead nowhere, warns China’s premier
Hong Kong independence mentioned for the first time in the annual government report given by
nation’s premier
Tony CheungEmily TsangLaura Zhou
The Chinese premier Li Keqiang has for the first time publicly condemned the notion of Hong Kong independence in his annual work report, warning that the movement would “lead nowhere”.
It was the first time “Hong Kong independence” has been mentioned in the annual government report delivered by the premier.
Li also said that Beijing was committed to the principle of one country, two systems in Hong Kong and that the framework would be applied without being “bent or distorted”.
Li’s comments came as he gave details of his work report to the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People on Sunday, which included the central government’s plan to develop a “city cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area”.
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Hong Kong was rocked with controversy last October after two pro-independence lawmakers Sixtus Baggio Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-Ching pledged allegiance to a “Hong Kong nation” and used an insulting term for China as they were sworn in at the Legislative Council.
It led the National People’s Congress Standing Committee to rule on Hong Kong’s mini constitution the Basic Law to make “insincere” oath-taking punishable by instant disqualification. The duo were later stripped of their seats on the council.
Premier Li told the legislature: “We will continue to implement, both to the letter and in spirit, the principle of one country, two systems, under which Hong Kong people govern Hong Kong.”
He added that the central government would continue to “act in strict compliance with China’s constitution” and the Basic Law.
“We will ensure that the principle of one country two systems is steadfastly applied in Hong Kong and Macau without being bent or distorted ... the notion of independence will lead nowhere.”
It was the first time that the principle of applying the Basic Law “without being bent or distorted”, a phrase coined by President Xi Jinping, has been included in the premier’s annual report.
Li’s comments came days after Yu Zhengsheng, the fourth most senior leader in China’s Communist Party and the chairman of the government’s political advisory, praised the interpretation of the Basic Law on oath taking.
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Yu has previously said that the appointment of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying as a delegate to the advisory body was in recognition for the efforts he had made in curbing pro-independence sentiment in Hong Kong.
Premier Li also reiterated during his speech Beijing’s full support to the chief executives and governments of Hong Kong and Macau in exercising “law-based governance, growing their economies, improving people’s livelihood, advancing democracy and promoting social harmony”.
“We have always had full confidence about ensuring lasting prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macau,” Li said.
He added that Beijing would give full play to the distinctive strengths of the special administrative regions, as well as elevating their positions and roles in China’s economic development.
Tam Yiu-chung, a political advisory body delegate, said Li’s unprecedented mention of Hong Kong independence shows “Beijing is very concerned about the problem”.
“The central government would not tolerate it ... it’s a very serious problem. That’s why the NPC’s chairman also mentioned it in his speech yesterday,” Tam said.
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Hong Kong deputy to the NPC, Ip Kwok-him, believed the issue of independence was brought up in the report due to the prevalence of pro-independence activities in the past two years, including in the Legislative Council election last year.
“The central government cannot pretend not to see and not to hear,” Ip said.
He agreed that the advocacy leads nowhere, and that the majority of Hongkongers did not agree with it.
Deputy to the NPC and Executive Council member Cheng Yiu-tong said it showed that the central government is highly concerned about the independence issue, and it would not allow independence activists “to prevail”.
“In the past, the pro-independence activities seldom took place openly, but now these activities are taking place without any reservations, and they are real actions instead of just talks,” Cheng said. “ The country would not allow Hong Kong to go independent, as the city on the whole will suffer.”
The National People’s Congress Chairman Zhang Dejiang’s held his annual meeting with Hong Kong delegates on the national political advisory body on Saturday.
Zhang was quoted by delegates as saying that the interpretations of the Basic Law after the oath-taking controversy have effectively curbed the promotion of independence in Hong Kong.
www.fotavgeia.blogspot.com
China's Two Sessions 2017
Calls for Hong Kong independence will lead nowhere, warns China’s premier
Hong Kong independence mentioned for the first time in the annual government report given by
Tony CheungEmily TsangLaura Zhou
The Chinese premier Li Keqiang has for the first time publicly condemned the notion of Hong Kong independence in his annual work report, warning that the movement would “lead nowhere”.
It was the first time “Hong Kong independence” has been mentioned in the annual government report delivered by the premier.
Li also said that Beijing was committed to the principle of one country, two systems in Hong Kong and that the framework would be applied without being “bent or distorted”.
Li’s comments came as he gave details of his work report to the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People on Sunday, which included the central government’s plan to develop a “city cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area”.
China aims for 6.5 per cent economic growth ‘or higher if possible’ in 2017
Hong Kong was rocked with controversy last October after two pro-independence lawmakers Sixtus Baggio Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-Ching pledged allegiance to a “Hong Kong nation” and used an insulting term for China as they were sworn in at the Legislative Council.
It led the National People’s Congress Standing Committee to rule on Hong Kong’s mini constitution the Basic Law to make “insincere” oath-taking punishable by instant disqualification. The duo were later stripped of their seats on the council.
Premier Li told the legislature: “We will continue to implement, both to the letter and in spirit, the principle of one country, two systems, under which Hong Kong people govern Hong Kong.”
He added that the central government would continue to “act in strict compliance with China’s constitution” and the Basic Law.
“We will ensure that the principle of one country two systems is steadfastly applied in Hong Kong and Macau without being bent or distorted ... the notion of independence will lead nowhere.”
It was the first time that the principle of applying the Basic Law “without being bent or distorted”, a phrase coined by President Xi Jinping, has been included in the premier’s annual report.
Li’s comments came days after Yu Zhengsheng, the fourth most senior leader in China’s Communist Party and the chairman of the government’s political advisory, praised the interpretation of the Basic Law on oath taking.
China raises military budget by 7pc amid slower economic growth
Yu has previously said that the appointment of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying as a delegate to the advisory body was in recognition for the efforts he had made in curbing pro-independence sentiment in Hong Kong.
Premier Li also reiterated during his speech Beijing’s full support to the chief executives and governments of Hong Kong and Macau in exercising “law-based governance, growing their economies, improving people’s livelihood, advancing democracy and promoting social harmony”.
“We have always had full confidence about ensuring lasting prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macau,” Li said.
He added that Beijing would give full play to the distinctive strengths of the special administrative regions, as well as elevating their positions and roles in China’s economic development.
Tam Yiu-chung, a political advisory body delegate, said Li’s unprecedented mention of Hong Kong independence shows “Beijing is very concerned about the problem”.
“The central government would not tolerate it ... it’s a very serious problem. That’s why the NPC’s chairman also mentioned it in his speech yesterday,” Tam said.
How Trump is overshadowing China’s biggest political gathering ... even though he is half a world away
Hong Kong deputy to the NPC, Ip Kwok-him, believed the issue of independence was brought up in the report due to the prevalence of pro-independence activities in the past two years, including in the Legislative Council election last year.
“The central government cannot pretend not to see and not to hear,” Ip said.
He agreed that the advocacy leads nowhere, and that the majority of Hongkongers did not agree with it.
Deputy to the NPC and Executive Council member Cheng Yiu-tong said it showed that the central government is highly concerned about the independence issue, and it would not allow independence activists “to prevail”.
“In the past, the pro-independence activities seldom took place openly, but now these activities are taking place without any reservations, and they are real actions instead of just talks,” Cheng said. “ The country would not allow Hong Kong to go independent, as the city on the whole will suffer.”
The National People’s Congress Chairman Zhang Dejiang’s held his annual meeting with Hong Kong delegates on the national political advisory body on Saturday.
Zhang was quoted by delegates as saying that the interpretations of the Basic Law after the oath-taking controversy have effectively curbed the promotion of independence in Hong Kong.
www.fotavgeia.blogspot.com
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