Hong Kong election candidates must issue China pledge by law: electoral commission

[HONG KONG] Candidates in Hong Kong's September elections must by law pledge that the city is an "inalienable" part of China and advocating independence could end their candidacy, the head of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) said.

The comments come after the EAC and the Hong Kong government sparked anger by saying candidates for the legislative council, which includes pro-democracy and independence activists, are required to declare in a new Confirmation Form that the city falls directly under the central government in Beijing.

The Hong Kong government also said that advocating and promoting independence was "contrary" to that declaration and could render a candidate ineligible. The EAC said anyone making a false declaration was "liable to criminal sanction."

"The introduction of the Confirmation Form has sound legal basis. The measure (is) entirely based on legal and procedural considerations," EAC chairman Justice Barnabas Fung Wah told lawmakers on Tuesday, according to a printed version of the remarks.

Hong Kong is part of China but governed by separate laws under a "one country, two systems" framework agreed with the British when it was handed back from colonial rule in 1997.

Relations between Hong Kong and Beijing have frayed in recent years amid pro-democracy protests, a failed bid for electoral reform and instances where Hong Kong residents say Beijing is breaking the "one country, two systems" agreement - such as the alleged abduction of five Hong Kong booksellers known for their gossipy books about China's leaders.

There is also a small but vocal minority of activists calling for outright independence.

"There have been comments and proposals in the public arena which have deviated from 'one country, two systems' and the constitutional status of Hong Kong as prescribed in the Basic Law. In this regard, there are public concerns on whether candidates fully understand the Basic Law," Justice Fung said.

A candidate who fails to submit the confirmation form may be asked for further information and election officers, with input from the Justice Department, may declare the candidacy invalid, according to the EAC.

The EAC is an independent statutory body that oversees elections in Hong Kong. Legislative Council elections are on Sept 4.

REUTERS