Students who associate with outlawed Hong Kong National Party can face criminal sanctions, government tells schools as top Beijing official welcomes ban
Education Bureau sends notices to all secondary schools and tertiary institutions as Beijing’s No 1 official for Hong Kong affairs commends decision to outlaw party, saying it posed risk to ‘national security and public order’
Hong Kong’s Education Bureau has warned secondary schools and universities to make sure their students do not associate with a recently banned pro-independence party, as it could constitute a criminal offence.
A two-page letter issued this week to all supervisors at more than 500 secondary schools said staff should advise students not to promote Hong Kong independence, join illegal societies, take part in their activities or offer them assistance, to avoid criminal liability.
Tertiary institutions, including the eight publicly funded universities, received copies of the government notice gazetting the ban against the Hong Kong National Party and the full transcript of Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu’s explanation of why he outlawed the party on national security grounds. There were no accompanying instructions.
The ban means anyone who associates with the party by serving it, participating in gatherings or providing financial assistance could be liable on conviction to a fine and a jail sentence of two to three years.
The bureau’s warning reinforced a concerted effort by officials to combat independence advocacy on school premises in recent years.
Students have issued fliers and stickers on or around campuses proposing that Hong Kong should split from China, while independence-themed posters and banners have surfaced on bulletin boards, leading to rows between administrators and students over freedom of speech.
Banners in support of the party and of Hong Kong independence appeared on the University of Hong Kong’s notice board on Wednesday, but were later removed.