Before his weekly Executive Council meeting on Tuesday morning, Leung evaded a reporter’s question about the film, but on the city’s independence, he said: “From the legal perspective, we will handle it in accordance with the law; and from the political perspective, I know that there are people – including the young – who asked whether Hongkonger’s interests were influenced or eroded by the mainland.

“But (those interests) have been the government’s priority, especially on issues where shortage could easily arise, so there is no need to take the issue onto the level of whether Hong Kong need be independent so that the people’s interests can be safeguarded.”

He was referring to measures such as stamp duty introduced to discourage mainland investors from buying homes in Hong Kong, and the ban on travellers taking more than two tins of milk powder across the border.

Leung also pledged to continue work on solving the city’s housing shortage.

He declined to say if he will seek re-election next year, saying: “I won’t comment on re-election now. Our priority now is to focus on various aspects of our work.”