Party convenor Chan Ho-tin to lead delegation to Taiwan; he says there are no plans to meet the Democratic Progressive Party
KC.NG@SCMP.COM
UPDATED : Friday, 22 April, 2016, 8:00am
Hong Kong National Party convenor Chan Ho-tin is eyeing Taiwan independence groups. Photo: Bruce Yan
The fledgling political party that advocates Hong Kong independence is flexing its muscles by seeking closer ties with pro-independence groups in Taiwan.
A Hong Kong National Party delegation is expected to fly to Taiwan in one or two months to hold talks with, among others, the Taiwan Solidarity Union, New Power Party, Free Taiwan Party and Taiwan Independence Party.
Hong Kong National Party convenor Chan Ho-tin, who is expected to lead the delegation, said: “We are keeping contact with the Taiwanese parties. The format of the meetings are still being worked out. We want to make more overseas friends and exchange views over going independent and election strategies.”
But he claimed they had no plan to meet the Democratic Progressive Party, saying Tsai Ing-wen had appeared softer in her stance over Taiwan independence after winning the presidential election.
Chan’s party, formally launched on March 28, calls for building a “Republic of Hong Kong”. It also rejects recognition of the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution.
The party has drawn harsh criticism from the Hong Kong and Beijing governments. Many of Hong Kong’s pan-democrat parties, including the Democratic Party and even the radical People Power group, have distanced themselves from Chan.
Beijing has also recently escalated its rhetoric, warning that calls for independence are in breach of the Basic Law and can be considered “sedition” and “treason” under the Crimes Ordinance.
Chan said he was prepared to face suppression by Beijing.
“I have no fear,” said a defiant Chan, “The harsher Beijing’s attacks are, the more attention our party will get. And attention is exactly what we need in order to promote our ideas. We would have been a loser if we had not been able to stir things up.”
Hong Kong National Party convenor Chan Ho-tin (right behind the desk) attends a forum on independence. Photo: Dickson Lee
Chan claimed he was not afraid for his personal safety, saying: “I would be very pleased to become a political prisoner if I ended up getting arrested or taken by Chinese spies back to China.”
“My parents support me. They know what I am doing. They have not donated money to my party. But preparing meals for me every day is already a big support,” said Chan, “I appreciate their worries and I will take extra care of myself.”
He said Beijing had itself to blame for the rising tide of localism and calls for independence in Hong Kong. “Hong Kong people are forced to protect their interest in the face of Chinese encroachment,” Chan said.
He likened his aims to those of a revolutionary group and declined to discuss much about the party.
There are about 30 to 50 core members, most of whom are young people in their 20s, according to Chan.
Another party member who has made public appearances is Jason Chow Ho-fai, who recently showed up at Radio Television Hong Kong’s City Forum as the party’s spokesman.
“Many of the core members got to know each other during the Occupy protests. We are like brothers and we share the same aims. We do not have to worry about moles infiltrating us,” said Chan.
“Don’t judge our party by the size of our membership,” he said, “The Democratic Party has about 800 members. Some people regard them as the number one pro-democracy party in Hong Kong.”
I have no fear ... The harsher Beijing’s attacks are, the more attention our party will get
PARTY CONVENOR CHAN HO-TIN
The biggest party in Hong Kong is the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, which has a membership of over 30,000.
Chan said his party was entirely funded by its members to ensure its “autonomy and sustainability”. “We have no paid staff. All are volunteers and those who have jobs will donate part of their salaries to support the party,” said Chan, who quit his job in an engineering firm several months ago to become a full-time “politician”.
The bulk of the party’s expenditure goes towards renting a 1,000-square-foot party office in a factory building in Tuen Mun. Property consultants estimate they pay about HK$7,000 a month.
The party has not been officially registered and has not opened an official bank account.
“The Companies Registry is playing delaying tactics, keeping asking us for more information to support our registration. If the agency eventually rejects our application, we may take the case to court,” Chan said.
Chan said they were serious about their aims and had discussed the setting up of a political party for about half a year. “We didn’t just get up in the morning and then decide to form a party,” Chan said.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1937554/hong-kong-national-party-delegation-meet-taiwan-independence
