Occupy group's flirt with Taipei slammed

Pro-establishment legislators yesterday condemned the recent meeting of Occupy Central initiators with pro-independence political figures in Taiwan.儲存 They warned against attempts to challenge the ``one country, two systems'' principle. Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong lawmaker Tam Yiu-chung expressed concern that initiators of the movement made use of pro- independence forces in Taiwan to promote the Occupy Central movement, saying this would result in violence and challenge the ``one country'' bottom line. Tam said a joint statement was being circulated among pro-establishment lawmakers for endorsement and a copy would be made public. ``It contradicts the principle of `one country, two systems' to allow political power outside to enter Hong Kong,'' Tam said. ``Hongkongers' interests are also at risk and it will do no good on universal suffrage.'' Occupy Central organizer Chu Yiu-ming, Alliance for True Democracy convener Joseph Cheng Yu-shek and Labour Party chairman Lee Cheuk- yan met with former Democratic Progressive Party leader Shih Ming-teh in Taipei to discuss how to push forward the Occupy Central campaign. They also proposed to arrange roundtable meetings and mini storagenvited Taiwanese to sign the Occupy Central statement. Tam urged the three to stop contacting the pro- independence forces in Taiwan and give up Occupy Central. Lee said the pro-establishment camp's reaction shows the central government does not want Taiwan people to be concerned about Hong Kong's political development. ``We will communicate with Taiwan people, no matter what their political stance, because they are concerned about our future,'' Lee said. Occupy Central organizer Chan Kin-man said it is ridiculous to say they colluded with Taiwan's pro-independence power. ``We also contacted other groups in Taipei,'' he said. In a related development, the Occupy Central organizers said they will file a complaint with the Ombudsman or consider a judicial review if they are not approved by the Companies Registry by next month. Chan said they are unable to open a bank account in the name of Occupy Central. Chan said the Companies Registry replied to them last week, stating that companies should be open for ``lawful purpose'' and questioned if the movement might involve unlawful activities. He said the registry can reject their application but should not procrastinate on it. kelly.ip@singtaonewscorp.com self storage