Top legislator: HKSAR power not separated from central government

Top legislator Zhang Dejiang stressed that the power exercised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is delegated by but not separated from the central government.

Zhang made the remarks at a high-ranking symposium Saturday morning to commemorate the 20th anniversary of implementing the HKSAR Basic Law.

Under no circumstances should anyone be allowed to challenge the power of the central government in the name of a high degree of autonomy, said Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

Noticing that in recent years, some people in Hong Kong have preached the so-called inherent power and independent power, or even self-determination and Hong Kong independence, Zhang pointed out that what they advocate is to refuse to recognize China's resumption of exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and deny the overall jurisdiction the central government has over Hong Kong.

What they actually attempt to do is to turn Hong Kong into an independent or semi-independent political entity and separate it from the rest of the country, said Zhang.

"We will never allow this to happen", stressed Zhang.

Zhang called on HKSAR to scrupulously perform its constitutional duty of safeguarding national security through legislation prescribed in the Basic Law, resolutely stop any behaviors or activities that undermine national unity.