Wang Guangya urges establishment lawmakers to unite, support CY Leung
Wang Guangya also tells establishment lawmakers to boost their 'fighting strength'
Beijing's point man for Hong Kong affairs has repeated his call for pro-establishment lawmakers to support the government led by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.
Unity was a major theme at Wang Guangya's meeting with pro-establishment lawmakers in Shenzhen last Sunday.
Wang, director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, concluded his speech by expressing hope the pro-establishment camp, which he dubbed the "love China, love Hong Kong camp", would unite.
The speech was published on his office's website on Friday.
"My first hope is that the camp can unite and increase its fighting strength and influence [over society]," Wang said. "My second hope is that [the camp] can firmly support the government and the chief executive."
He said Leung's vision of "seeking change while maintaining stability" had public support and urged the lawmakers to "defend the chief executive's authority on their own initiative".
In March last year, upon his victory in the chief executive election, Leung vowed to establish a "Hong Kong camp". But a year on, he has apparently failed to win the complete support of the pro-establishment camp.
Veteran political commentator Johnny Lau Yui-siu said the central government hoped to unite the camp for the battle ahead over electoral reform.
Lau pointed to another speech, delivered by National People's Congress Law Committee chairman Qiao Xiaoyang to the same group of legislators.
"The two speeches, together with an editorial in the and military drills by the PLA's Hong Kong garrison, are a clear sign that Beijing is fighting a public opinion battle in Hong Kong," he said.
"Beijing is trying to persuade Hong Kong people. It is a dangerous sign, because it shows the central government is not willing to listen to popular opinion."
