At the public meeting organised by Civil Human Rights Front at the CGO East Wing Forecourt (the Forecourt) this afternoon (January 1), there were individual participants carrying placard with slogan advocating "independence of Hong Kong". They ignored the advice of the security guards and forced their way into the Forecourt, causing confusion and two security guards falling on the ground. A Government's spokesman seriously condemns such an incident.

     ​In line with the philosophy of governance of the current-term Government, the Forecourt was reopened on December 28, 2017. So far, a total of 31 public meetings have been approved to be held at the Forecourt and the overall arrangements have been smooth. Although members of the public are permitted to conduct public meetings or processions or express views at the Forecourt, the Government shall not allow any activities advocating or promoting "independence of Hong Kong" to take place therein.

      In handling the application for conducting the public meeting at the Forecourt today, the Administration Wing has reminded the organiser to abide by the laws in force in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and appeal to the participants not to conduct any activity that contravenes the laws in force in the HKSAR, including the Basic Law. 

     Yet, the person concerned carried a placard with message advocating "independence of Hong Kong" this afternoon, ignoring the advice of security guards at the scene, forcing their way into the Forecourt, and causing confusion and two security guards falling on the ground. After entering the Forecourt, the person concerned, with the consent of the public meeting organiser, made some remarks advocating "independence of Hong Kong" at the stage.

     The spokesman reiterated that advocating "independence of Hong Kong" is inconsistent with "one country, two systems" and the Basic Law, as well as the long-term and overall interests of the community of Hong Kong, undermining the constitutional order of the HKSAR. The HKSAR Government has the duty to abide by the law and uphold the constitutional order in accordance with the Basic Law, safeguarding the long-term and overall interests of Hong Kong. HKSAR Government reiterates its zero tolerance on "Hong Kong independence".

     The spokesman expressed deep regret that the organiser has not appealed to participants not to conduct any activity that contravenes the laws in force in the HKSAR, including the Basic Law.

Ends/Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Issued at HKT 23:57

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