Tightening Communist Control? China Backed Hong Kong Government Bans Pro-Independence Party

The local government has banned Hong Kong National Party, an outfit advocating independence of the country, Reuters has reported. Secretary for Security John Lee announced the decision of the administration. China’s central government backed the ban on the party which demanded Hong Kong’s independence.

Hong Kong is considered a part of China, though the state control is much lesser in the region. Hong Kong is governed under a “one country, two systems” principle. It permits the global financial hub a high degree of autonomy and freedoms.

The ban was announced under a colonial law called Hong Kong’s Societies Ordinance. This law requires all social groups and organisations to register with the police. The law allows a ban on organisations “in the interests of national security, public order or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others”.

John Lee told reporters that the Hong Kong National Party had plans to achieve independence from China by all means. He added that it had broken the basic law of the land.

“I will never stop in my pursuit of freedom, human rights, equality and dignity,” Leader of Hong Kong National Party Andy Chan told Reuters.