Beijing censures Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong for being pro-independence despite his denials and state media accuses him of receiving aid from the United States
- Demosisto leader says criticism shows his disqualification was a central-government directive
- US politicians come to young activist’s defence, calling for passage of Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
Beijing authorities and state media have censured pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung, accusing him of being a pro-independence radical taking financial aid from the United States.
The renewed round of strongly worded attacks came a day after Wong, secretary general of political party Demosisto, became the only candidate to be banned from running in the district council elections on November 24 because of his political views. Returning officer Laura Liang Aron ruled he had not changed his former stance on independence.
Even as he was rebuked, several US politicians slammed the decision to ban Wong, describing it as another blow to the rule of law and political freedom in the city.
The returning officer made the decision to ban Wong after he had faced three rounds of questioning. In response to the third inquiry, Wong made clear that he and Demosisto “do not promote and support independence as an option of self-determination”. But Aron said Wong still supported the idea of a non-binding referendum on self-determination, listing independence as one option, and such an option was “incompatible with the Basic Law”, the city’s mini-constitution.
Wong said on Wednesday that attacks from state media only confirmed that Aron’s decision was a directive from Beijing.