Sovereignty, National Security, and Political Reform: Prevention Mechanism Against “Hong Kong Independence” Under the Hong Kong Basic Law

Abstract

In around 2010, with the deterioration of issues such as “Parallel Goods Trader,” “Milk Powder Scarcity,” and “Double Non Babies,” the relationship between Hong Kong and the Mainland went through a sudden decline. Consequently, a negative sentimental against the Mainland permeated Hong Kong society. Under this sentiment, a separatist trend was quietly brewing. After the “Occupy Central Movement” in 2014, the separatist trend took a formal appearance, with the overt appeal for “Hong Kong Independence.” Soon afterward, with the construction and manipulation of the separatists, “Hong Kong Independence” was systematized and spread like germs among the young people in Hong Kong. In order to realize the separatist goal, pro-independence organizations were established one after another, making scenes and chaos. On 8 February 2016, the localist organization “Hong Kong Indigenous” plotted a riot in Mong Kok, bringing massive damages, chaos, and panics to Hong Kong society. It was not until then that the mainstream Hong Kong society realized the severeness of “Hong Kong Independence” issue. We could say that to date, in the absence of majority approval, “Hong Kong Independence” is still a marginal trend of thought, but it does not mean we should not treat the issue seriously. As a matter of fact, if the issue is not taken seriously and dealt with proper measures, the political situation in Hong Kong could get worse, and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong would consequently be in peril.