Beijing expressed support and recognition on Returning Officer's decision to disqualify activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung from running in the 2019 District Council (DC) Ordinary Election of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
Yang Guang, spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remark Wednesday in response to Xinhua News Agency.
Yang said the decision to bar Wong from running the election has adequate factual and legal basis and will help maintain rule of law, and to ensure the seriousness and fairness of the DC Ordinary Election.
"We agree and support this decision," Yang told Xinhua.
Yang said Joshua Wong was one of the major offenders in destabilizing Hong Kong's stability and prosperity as well as challenging the bottom line of "One Country, Two Systems" in the months-long ongoing turmoil in Hong Kong, by promoting the so-called "Hong Kong independence," "self-determination," and repeatedly begging for foreign interference.
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"He is fundamentally unqualified to meet the qualification requirements that ask the candidate to uphold the Basic Law and to pledge allegiance to the HKSAR," Yang told Xinhua.
"Hong Kong independence" activist Joshua Wong (2nd L) meets with Julie Eadeh, political unit chief of the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong & Macao, August 6, 2019. /CGTN Photo
Wong, the leader of a political group advocating for "Hong Kong independence," was denied candidacy Tuesday morning for failing to comply with relevant electoral laws, which require a candidate to uphold the Basic Law.
Later on Tuesday, Hong Kong SAR government showed support for the decision, saying, "The Returning Officers have the duty as well as power to make those decisions according to the relevant electoral laws."
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