[ad_1]
The Hong Kong government on Monday banned a political party advocating independence from China, citing concerns of national security.
The Hong Kong National Party, founded by pro-independence activist Andy Chan, is the first political party to be banned in Hong Kong since it was transferred from Britain to the Chinese regime in 1997.
Jeffie Lam, journalist at South China Morning Post The newspaper said on Twitter that the decision of the city's security chief, John Lee, came only 10 days after Chan's party responded, saying it should not be banned.
Police demanded the ban of the political party in July, citing concerns about "national security".
Chan said that he would not comment immediately on the decision.
The Hong Kong National Party, which has only a few dozen members, was founded after the Umbrella Movement demonstrations for democracy in 2014.
Hong Kong has a separate political and legal system of China on the principle of "one country, two systems" and enjoys a high degree of autonomy and freedoms. Critics allege, however, that this special status is eroding.
Read more: The 20 years of Hong Kong under Chinese rule – A failed project?
Calls for independence were launched after the 2014 protests that failed to pressure Beijing to allow full democracy in the city.
But the freedom movement has failed to make much progress against the Hong Kong government's efforts to muzzle the feeling of independence.
Major independence activists, including Mr. Chan, have since been barred from running for office and others have been excluded from the legislature.
Edward Leung, a pro-independence activist, was jailed for six years in June on charges of rioting after clashes with police in 2016.
ap / msh (dpa, reuters, AFP)
Every evening at 18:30 UTC, DW editors send a selection of news and quality reports. You can register to receive it directly here.
[ad_2]Source link
