Attempts to “de-Sinofy” Hong Kong are becoming all too familiar, according to a Beijing-loyalist businessman who warned on Wednesday against efforts to turn it into a city-state.
Lew Mon-hung, a delegate to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, made the comments during a debate on RTHK radio with Dr Horace Chin Wan-kan, a scholar who has called publicly for wider autonomy for Hong Kong.
Lew said it was increasingly obvious that many Hongkongers are opting for “de-Sinofication”. He cited the British flags that were waved recently by demonstrators protesting against the government’s national education programme, and during protests in Sheung Shui against cross-border mainland traders.
One former Beijing official said he was “heartbroken” to see Hongkongers waving the flags.
“Before and after the [September 9 Legislative Council] election, many candidates chanted ‘down with the Chinese Communist Party’,” Lew said.
“Article 1 of the Basic Law states that Hong Kong … is an inalienable part of [China]. That is so whether or not you like China.”