Zero tolerance to 'HK separatism'

Premier Li Keqiang delivers the Government Work Report during the opening meeting of the fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 5, 2017. [Photo by Xu Jingxing/China Daily]

In the Government Work Report he delivered to the fifth plenary session of the 12th National People's Congress on Sunday, Premier Li Keqiang said that calls for "Hong Kong independence" will "lead nowhere".

This is the first time the central government has touched on this issue in its work report to the nation's highest body of state power, showing the central authorities' increasing concern about the disruption being done to social harmony and Hong Kong's reputation as a law-abiding place to do business by the activities of separatists and so-called localists.

The calls for "Hong Kong independence" have already led to many illegal acts, including street violence, vandalism and arson, and attempts by some to subvert their oaths of office.

Given this, the pledge to provide full support for "law-based governance" will be welcome to those who have the best interests of the special administrative region at heart. Which it seems does not include the government of the United States, as it once again stuck its nose into China's internal affairs by claiming Beijing was encroaching on the special administrative region's autonomy in its annual human rights report released on Friday.

The US government, of course, is an encourager of separatist sentiment whenever it thinks it serves the US' interests. But what is actually in the interests of Hong Kong and its residents is the maintaining of law and order. Tackling the roots of the discontent that has found expression among some in anti-mainland sentiment will help heal some of the social divisions.

While the support of those from outside who have their own axes to grind has fanned the flames of this discontent, there is no denying there are issues in the special administrative region besides the lawless acts of separatists that need to be tackled.

These issues are the same as those in most economies facing rising anger among a proportion of the population who feel they are being left behind while others surge ahead, particularly the younger generation who feel the doors of opportunity have been closed to them.

A central government plan to develop a city cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will remedy some of the ills in this regard, as it will inject renewed vigor into the Hong Kong economy and provide a shot in the arm to revive its sense of well-being.

But, in order to guarantee the lasting prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, there can be no tolerance for any activity, in any shape or form, that attempts to separate Hong Kong from the mainland.