Teach pupils about Hong Kong independence as you would drugs and suicides, ex-Legco chief says

Veteran politician urges approach that educates pupils without advocating

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A pro-independence banner at Chinese University in Sha Tin in September. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 3:30pm, 28 Oct 2017Updated: 5:27pm, 28 Oct 2017

Hong Kong teachers should be free to discuss independence in class but not advocate it, the former leader of the city’s legislature said on Saturday, urging an approach similar to educating pupils about drugs and suicide.

Ex-Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, a veteran pro-Beijing politician, shared his thoughts on a radio programme and exchanged views with some young people.

Jasper Tsang Yok-sing served as Hong Kong Legislative Council president from 2008 to 2016. Photo: Edmond So

Asked whether he agreed with Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s claim there was “no room for any discussion on Hong Kong independence” and if the city deserved freedom to discuss the matter, Tsang offered an analogy.

“What if I told the teachers not only to tell the pupils all the downsides of suicide, but also its benefits? What if I said the discussion could not be all one-sided?” the former school principal asked.

It’s like telling pupils it’s OK to take drugs and think about committing suicide

Jasper Tsang, pro-Beijing politician

Tsang, who led Legco from 2008 to last year, said schools in the city were free to discuss Hong Kong independence and that teachers should hear out pupils’ diverse views.