Beijing backs city government’s ban on Hong Kong National Party, leader Carrie Lam says
- Chief executive asked to file report on administration’s decision
- Approval comes after her cabinet turned down Hong Kong National Party’s appeal against its prohibition
Beijing has for the first time requested a report from Hong Kong’s leader on the banning of a separatist party, as it officially backed the tough action taken by her government.
Lam stressed she had never received any direct order from Beijing to ban the HKNP, and dismissed concerns about interference in the city’s affairs through the official request via the formal letter, which would not usually be made public.
“There’s no interference whatsoever from the central people’s government,” Lam said, adding her administration had always maintained a zero-tolerance policy on calls for Hong Kong’s separation from China.
“As the chief executive, who is accountable to the central government, I have to submit reports from time to time … that is only legitimate,” she said.
Last week, Lam and her advisers in the Executive Council upheld the ban on the HKNP, backing the security minister’s decision last September to outlaw the party for posing a threat to national security and public order. The party now has three months to decide whether to seek a judicial review.