The collapse of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, a de facto opposition-leaning political group, is a certainty and a definitive trend, said the spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong, after the alliance reportedly initiated the voting procedure for dissolution on Sunday.
The alliance has taken the subversion of state power and the overthrow of the leadership of the ruling party as its political protocol since its foundation. Over the past 30 years, in the name of “democracy,” it carried out a rebellion against the central government and created chaos in Hong Kong, and it never stopped inciting hatred against the Chinese mainland and the ruling party, said the spokesperson.
“It wantonly challenged the bottom line of national security. Its actions have seriously damaged the fundamental and overall interests of China,” the spokesperson noted.
The spokesperson stressed that all illegal organizations that endanger national security and disrupt social order in Hong Kong will not escape legal sanctions.
The alliance said on Sunday that it will not cooperate with the police’s national security department to submit financial and operational information, to which the police warned that a follow-up investigation in accordance with the law will be conducted.
On August 25, the Hong Kong Police Force sent letters to some key members of the organization, requesting information before September 7 on its possible status as a foreign agent under Article 43 of the national security law for Hong Kong. In response, the alliance said its members will meet to discuss the issue.
On Sunday, however, members of the organization announced at a news conference that they will not hand over requested information to the police, noting that they’re aware of the risk of being prosecuted for not cooperating, but they still refuse to cooperate with the police investigation.
In response to the alliance’s refusal to cooperate, the Hong Kong police said it would take follow-up actions against any group that fails to comply with a legal requirement to submit information.
The police also warned that the penalty for refusing to hand over information can be a fine of HK$100,000 ($12,900) and imprisonment for half a year.
Known for openly slandering the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the alliance is one of the most extreme anti-government forces in Hong Kong. In June, Luo Huining, the director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, said at a forum that the CPC is the inventor, leader, practitioner and steadfast protector of “one country, two systems.”
According to previous media reports, the alliance is going to have a member vote on September 25 to decide whether the group should disband after its standing committee failed to reach a consensus.
The city has recently witnessed the disbandment of many opposition groups. In August, the Civil Human Rights Front, the city’s largest opposition group, and the Professional Teachers’ Union, a de facto opposition-leaning political group, announced disbandment. Observers noted the alliance may soon follow the same path in order to manage its legal risks.
But experts noted that potential disbandment will not exempt it from legal liability for allegedly provoking chaos and instigating anti-China sentiments in Hong Kong for many years.
Photo taken on July 1, 2020 shows the Golden Bauhinia Square after a flag-raising ceremony held by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Hong Kong, south China.(Photo: Xinhua)
