The Companies Registry has refused to register the newly-founded, pro-independence Hong Kong National Party. The party announced its establishment at a press conference on Sunday, setting out its agenda and expressing its plans to field candidates in the upcoming LegCo elections.
“When we went to the Companies Registry to register, we used the names of ‘Hong Kong National Party’ [in English and Chinese]. But they said we could not register because of political reasons,” said convenor Chan Ho-tin.
He said that the party is following up the case, but refused to explain any further. “I am scared that it might affect the application process.”
District Councillor and solicitor Maggie Chan Man-ki said that advocating Hong Kong independence is an illegal activity according to the Crime Ordinances Sections 9 and 10, hence it is legal for the Companies Registry to deny the party’s application, reported Wen Wei Po, a Chinese mouthpiece in Hong Kong.
‘Freedom of speech’
Pan-democratic Civic Party’s Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu said that the National Party had not taken any real action, and talking of Hong Kong independence is within the bounds of freedom of speech, so he could not see where the party violated any law, reported HKEJ.
The Hong Kong National Party held a press conference on Sunday, announcing its establishment and its manifesto. “We advocate that Hong Kong independence is the only way out for Hong Kong people. We firmly believe that Hong Kong independence is the only way for Hong Kong people to break away from China’s oppression,” said Chan.
He said that the Hong Kong National Party had six major items on their agenda, including the establishment of an independent and free “Hong Kong Republic” and the abolition of the Hong Kong Basic Law.
