国内英语新闻:China Voice: "Hong Kong independence," a dangerous absurdity

BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Any bid to seek "Hong Kong independence" is a blatant denial of history with no legal basis. If condoned, it will be greatly poisonous to the entire special administrative region.

Those who recently attempted to set up an organization advocating "Hong Kong independence" were pursuing their own political agenda and private interests at the expense of China's sovereignty and security, Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and the wellbeing of the people.

Hong Kong is part of China and the founders of the so-called "Hong Kong National Party" are only making fools of themselves.

By promoting the "Republic of Hong Kong," they are in breach of the Constitution and the region's Basic Law, both of which explicitly emphasize sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity. Anyone who breaches the Constitution and the Basic Law becomes the enemy of all Chinese people, including the 7 million plus Hong Kong citizens.

Advocating "Hong Kong independence" is not a matter of freedom of speech. It jeopardizes the fundamental interests of the country and the region.

Those who have come up with "independence" have disregarded public sentiment and told an outright lie by saying that the Basic Law was never authorized by Hong Kong's citizens. Over the four years and eight months while the Basic Law was being drafted, the voice of Hong Kong's citizens was fully heeded. Among the 59 members of the drafting committee, 23 came from Hong Kong. Nearly 80,000 opinions on the draft were collected there. The Basic Law is the common will of all Chinese people, including Hong Kong citizens. There is absolutely no reason to challenge its authority and dignity.

Turning a deaf ear to the extremist remarks of the independence clique has helped them get away with illegal and violent activities, resulting in ideological confusion in Hong Kong, especially among teenagers.

The State Council Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office is resolutely opposed to any statement or action advocating "Hong Kong independence."

Constant vigilance is warranted.