‘Accept Hong Kong is part of China or you can’t run in Legco elections’

In a surprise move targeting independence advocates running in September’s Legislative Council elections, the government will ­require all candidates to declare their acceptance of Hong Kong as an inalienable part of China or face disqualification.

Those who sign the declaration would be bound by it to the extent that they could face criminal sanctions if found to have lied.

The move, announced on Thursday, drew instant criticism. While human rights groups condemned it as censorship of political thought, some pan-democrats also questioned its legality.

The current system already requires Legco candidates to sign a declaration in the nomination form to uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to Hong Kong. The new measure requires them to sign an additional form to confirm clear understanding of the mini-constitution, mainly concerning Hong Kong’s status as a special administrative region of China.

The undertaking covers the sections of the Basic Law stipulating that Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China with a high ­degree of autonomy and there is no amendment that contravenes the nation’s established basic ­policies regarding the city.

The new arrangement follows the rising tide of localism in Hong Kong, with some calling for self-determination and other extremists advocating Hong Kong’s exit from China.