Hong Kong police have notified a local pro-independence group of the intention to ban its operation in accordance with the Societies Ordinance, the city's security chief said on Tuesday.In a press briefing, Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said he had received a recommendation from an assistant societies officer to make the move.The group will have 21 days to make representations in writing and explain why the Secretary for Security should not make such an order, Lee said.The deadline is 5 pm on Aug 7.Lee said he will not make a decision until after the deadline, or until after he receives the group's written representations within the deadline.According to Section 8 of the Societies Ordinance, the Societies Officer may recommend the Secretary for Security make an order prohibiting the operation of a society if he reasonably believes the prohibition of the society's operation is necessary in the interests of national security, public safety, public order or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.This is the first time Hong Kong police have enforced Section 8 of the Societies Ordinance since the city was returned to the motherland in 1997, Lee said.People enjoy freedom of association in Hong Kong, but such freedom is not limitless, Lee said.As stipulated in the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance, lawful restrictions may be placed on the exercise of freedom of association if they are necessary in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others, Lee added.Founded in 2016, the Hong Kong National Party claims to uphold "a self-reliant nation" and an "independent Hong Kong" as its goal.Its convener, Andy Chan Ho-tin, acknowledged receiving a letter from the police on Tuesday, as he uploaded the bilingual message onto the group's social media page. customize silicone bracelets24 hour wristbandscheap custom wristbandsbat fidget spinner24 hour wristbands coupon codevinyl wristbands
BEIJING - A Chinese mainland spokesperson said here Wednesday that the mainland has always supported and protected Taiwan enterprises and Taiwan compatriots to invest on the mainland.Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, told a press conference that as the mainland continues to open up, Taiwan businessmen and companies, if they follows the economic progress of the mainland, would post better development."We are willing to share the development opportunities with our Taiwan compatriots, and deepen the cross-Straits communication and cooperation economically and culturally, to bring tangible benefits to Taiwan compatriots," Ma said.Ma said that the mainland continued to carry out preferential policies towards Taiwan compatriots living, working and studying on the mainland.The preferential policies are applied in cultural, financial, and social communication, among others, according to Ma.Ma also said the increased number of Taiwan students applying for mainland colleges showed that the development of the mainland and the opportunities it provides have become more and more appealing to Taiwan youngsters.
