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Security officials condemn proposal by overseas opposition figures to set up ‘Hong Kong Parliament’

  • Security Bureau calls on public to ‘draw the line’, distance themselves from plan, while vowing to pursue those behind proposal
  • Idea, inspired by the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, aims to unite growing diaspora, provide alternative for those still in their hometown and frustrated with system

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A National Security Education Day advertisement is seen at Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong’s security officials have condemned a proposal by opposition figures overseas to set up a parliament-in-exile abroad, accusing them of subverting the country’s sovereignty.

In its latest statement on Wednesday, the Security Bureau called on the public to “draw the line” and distance themselves from the “Hong Kong Parliament” proposal to avoid legal consequences, while vowing to pursue those behind the plan.

Just a week ago, the bureau refrained from commenting directly on the proposal when organisers unveiled initial details, saying only that the Beijing-imposed national security law had an extraterritorial effect.

Elmer Yuen and Victor Ho, both running a YouTube channel critical of Beijing and the Hong Kong government, are part of a 17-member committee which has proposed a “Hong Kong Parliament” abroad. Photo: Facebook
Elmer Yuen and Victor Ho, both running a YouTube channel critical of Beijing and the Hong Kong government, are part of a 17-member committee which has proposed a “Hong Kong Parliament” abroad. Photo: Facebook

A pair from a 17-member group – Elmer Yuen Gong-yi and Victor Ho Leung-mau, both running a YouTube channel critical of Beijing and the Hong Kong government – made their online debut from Toronto in Canada last week with details of the parliament proposal.

The idea, inspired by the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, aims to unite a growing diaspora from the city and provide an alternative for those still in their hometown but frustrated with Beijing’s “patriots-only” revamp of the city’s Legislative Council last year, according to a third group member, former lawmaker-elect Baggio Sixtus Leung Chung-hang, who spoke to the Post ahead of last week’s announcement.

On Wednesday, Hong Kong’s Security Bureau lashed out at the plan and named the trio in a damning statement.

“A Security Bureau spokesman severely condemned persons like Elmer Yuen Gong-yi, Victor Ho Leung-mau and Baggio Sixtus Leung Chung-hang for setting up the so-called ‘Hong Kong Parliament’ abroad, allegedly committing subversion under Article 22 of the national security law,” it said, vowing to make arrests.

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