Gloves off as CY Leung targets Hong Kong student 'lies'
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying hit out directly at student leaders at the start of his annual policy address, attacking them for 'putting forward fallacies' on nationalism and self-determination.
In a rare combative gesture, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying hit out directly at student leaders at the start of his annual policy address, attacking them for "putting forward fallacies" concerning nationalism and self-determination for Hong Kong.
Leung slammed students for "advocating independence" in the University of Hong Kong Student Union magazine Undergrad. He also criticised a book published by Undergrad in September last year entitled Hong Kong Nationalism.
Leung started his speech by outlining the key choices that Hong Kong faces in its economic and political development. He explained that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys a "high degree of autonomy" and not an absolute one.
Previous policy addresses have rarely tackled Hong Kong's level of autonomy that directly.
Leung went on to say: "The February 2014 issue of Undergrad … featured a cover story entitled 'Hong Kong people deciding their own fate' … A book named Hong Kong Nationalism was published by Undergrad. It advocates that Hong Kong should find a way to … self-determination.
"Undergrad and other students … have misstated some facts. We must stay alert. We also ask political figures … to advise them against putting forward such fallacies," Leung urged.
Leung also dismissed a popular slogan during the 79-day Occupy Central protests, "Hong Kong shall resolve Hong Kong's problems" as unconstitutional.