This undated photo shows the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
The central government on Sunday pledged to back Hong Kong police to the hilt in pursuing the culpability of “anti-China forces” in the special administrative region.
The demise of anti-China groups in the SAR is long overdue and inevitable, said a spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The demise of anti-China groups in the SAR is long overdue and inevitable, said a spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
The spokesperson made the remarks after the police warned the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China of the consequences following the group’s rejection of a request to hand over information about its membership, operations and finances.
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The alliance, from the very day of its inception, has been pulling out all the stops to stoke hatred against the nation and the Communist Party of China, and wantonly challenge the red line of national security, the spokesperson said.
The alliance said on Sunday it will decide whether to disband at a special meeting later this month. Two other local groups – the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union and the Civil Human Rights Front announced their dissolution last month.
Anti-China groups, such as the alliance, that have been trying to topple the HKSAR government, as well as the central government, will have no room to exist and develop in Hong Kong. Their downfalls are in line with the expectations of Hong Kong people as the city moves forward in improving its legal system and law enforcement mechanisms, the spokesperson said.
The Security Bureau also warned the alliance that its refusal to comply with the police request to provide information would have legal consequences.
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The National Security Law stipulates that refusal to comply with the requirement to provide information would lead to a fine and imprisonment for those concerned. The law enforcement authorities will strictly follow up the case if the law is violated, the bureau said.
In a statement, the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force said it issued notices in writing to various organizations on Aug 25 requesting for information, as required by Schedule 5 of the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Hong Kong National Security Law.
The police said those who fail to provide information in time will be liable to a fine of HK$100,000 and to imprisonment for half year. If any information provided is false, incorrect, or incomplete, the person who provided the information is liable to a fine of HK$100,000 and to imprisonment for two years.
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