Scottish referendum could be lesson in political engagement for Hong Kong, says First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, whose independence-seeking party this year reshaped the electoral map of the United Kingdom, says the way her country conducted a divisive referendum on independence may offer a lesson in political engagement for Hong Kong.

Speaking exclusively to the South China Morning Post on Thursday on her arrival in Hong Kong from meetings in Beijing and Shanghai, Sturgeon also described her politically energised homeland’s relations with China and Hong Kong as “hugely important’’ in both economic and cultural terms.

Watch: Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon discusses Hong Kong and Scottish independence

Sturgeon’s trip to the mainland and Hong Kong aims to boost business and create greater cultural and educational ties with Scotland.

While stressing that it would be wrong to draw direct parallels between developments in Scotland and the situation in Hong Kong, the first minister – whose Scottish National Party won a landslide 56 out of 59 Scottish parliamentary seats available in May’s British general election – addressed the vexed issue of political engagement, particularly among young people.

“Be peaceful and lawful first of all. I believe strongly that fundamental freedoms such as freedom of assembly and freedom of expression must be protected,” she said. “Here in Hong Kong, that would be in line with the Joint Declaration. Protest should be peaceful, democratic and positive.”