Recently Professor Mo Jihong, a council member of Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies and Deputy Director of CASS Law Institute, analyzed the issue of “Hong Kong Independence Movement” in an interview by Hong Kong-based newspaper Ta Kung Pao. In the interview, he pointed out that it is necessary to cultivate among Hong Kong people a new outlook on the rule of law, change the past practice of defining Kong Hong laws as common law, and establish the practice of taking the Chinese Constitution as the basis of interpretation of Hong Kong Laws. The current Basic Law of Hong Kong was adopted in accordance with Chinese Constitution and it can be interpreted only by taking the Chinese Constitution as the principle and basis. Through the analysis of a number of provisions, especially Article 23, of the Basic Law of Hong Kong, Professor Mo showed that, as far as the legal basis is concerned, the Central Government has the power to interpret the law in Hong Kong, especially those relating to national security and territorial integrity of China. These laws should be interpreted in accordance with the Chinese Constitution, rather than the laws adopted in Hong Kong before its return to China or the common law. Professor Mo also pointed out that a careful study needs to be carried out on the “Hong Kong Independence Movement” so as to find out whether it has an international background or has any link with “Xinjiang Separatist Movement” and “Tibetan Separatist Movement”.
Mo Jihong: Advocating New Outlook on the Rule of Law to Contain “Hong Kong Independence Movement”

