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Author's right of the image
AFP
The Hong Kong separatist movement enjoys limited public support
Hong Kong banned a small political party that militates for the independence of the territory.
The authorities have stated that the Hong Kong National Party (HKNP) poses a threat to national security.
Under the so-called "one country, two systems" formula, Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy and some freedoms are not available in China.
The ban comes as concerns grow over the erosion of these freedoms under pressure from Beijing.
This is the first time that the territory banned a political party since returning to China from the UK.
How is the ban justified?
A law of the colonial era allows the government to ban groups "in the interest of national security, public order or the protection of rights and freedoms". others ".
City security secretary John Lee said the group had spread "hatred and discrimination against mainland Chinese".
The HKNP is a small party on the sidelines and there is very little support in Hong Kong for the independence movement.
But the decision to ban the party gave the group and its leader Andy Chan international importance.
Author's right of the image
AFP
Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents' Club Welcomes Andy Chan Despite Beijing Protests
In August, he delivered a controversial speech at the city's Foreign Correspondent Club (FCC), prompting criticism from Beijing and pressure for the FCC to cancel the conference.
Hong Kong, a former British colony, was repatriated to China in 1997. But thanks to the formula "one country, two systems", Beijing has agreed to give the region a great deal of autonomy and preserve its economic and social systems for 50 years. years.
Why is this important for China?
China is extremely – and increasingly – sensitive to what it says are issues of national sovereignty.
Beijing is mainly focused on Hong Kong and the autonomous island of Taiwan. In the case of Taiwan, China's position is simple: Beijing regards Taiwan as a separatist province that rightly belongs to the continent.
In the case of Hong Kong, the situation is blurry. The city is part of China, but its special status and freedoms can be seen as an indirect attack on Beijing's grip on the continent.
