Chief Executive CY Leung blames Hong Kong voting system for independence calls
Speaking on a radio programme on Sunday, Leung responded to critics claims that his confrontational style of governance was encouraging people to think about splitting from the mainland
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has blamed Hong Kong’s election system for contributing to increasing calls for independence and self-determination.
He was responding on a radio show yesterday to his critics’ allegations that his confrontational style of governance was encouraging people to think about splitting from the mainland.
Leung has been mockingly called the “Father of Independence” by localists who point out that he brought the topic into the spotlight by giving undue publicity to a previously obscure student publication advocating such talk.
Yesterday, Leung pointed a finger at the Legislative Council elections. He argued that since it could be enough to win a seat with only 10 per cent of the votes, and those voters were usually positioned at the most extreme end of the political spectrum, some candidates were proposing radical platforms to gain support.
The pro-independence Hong Kong National Party plans to run in the September elections. Also joining the race by advocating self-determination is Demosisto, the newly launched party formed by student activists, including Joshua Wong Chi-fung.
The chief executive reiterated yesterday that Hong Kong independence would be unconstitutional and inviable.
