Lo Kin-hei (right) says the CE's attack of a student magazine put the focus on independence calls. File photo: RTHK
Democratic Party vice chairman Lo Kin-hei said on Thursday that it is difficult to argue that the Chief Executive is "the Father of Independence".
He cited a significantly wider use of the words "Hong Kong independence" by local media ever since CY Leung criticised a university student publication early last year.
Lo told a forum on localism that Hongkongers do have a sense of national identity, but it's their growing mistrust in both the Central and SAR governments that have fuelled localist ideology.
The Hong Kong Development Forum's convenor, businessman Ronnie Chan, said he couldn't find a place in the world where its people lack a sense of nationalism the way Hongkongers do. He said this was deliberately groomed by the colonial government.
Executive councillor Cheung Chi-kong said localists should support the Chief Executive, because CY Leung is the only Hong Kong leader who implemented measures restricting mainlanders buying property and milk powder here. He said supporters of the ideology aren't real localists, and use the term to disguise their attempt to promote independence.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1255807-20160421.htm
