It would be “impossible to achieve” independence for Hong Kong, an editorial piece in the pro-government Global Times has said. The editorial also dismissed the newly formed pro-independence Hong Kong National Party as “a practical joke”.
“Hong Kong independence is a downright false proposition. There is no possibility for it to be achieved,” it said.

It said that the Hong Kong National Party, founded by Chan Ho-tin and other members in their 20s, “looked like a practical joke by young people”.
“Today, there is a proliferation of extremism in Hong Kong. The ‘Hong Kong National Party’ can be considered to be at the forefront of extremism – even the possibility of using violence is mentioned,” said the editorial.
The Hong Kong National Party announced its establishment on Sunday, setting out a pro-independence and anti-Basic Law agenda. It expressed its plans to field candidates in the upcoming LegCo elections. Its convenor Chan Ho-tin said that the party was denied registration by the Companies Registry for “political reasons”.