Harsh words fly in 'loyal rubbish' row

Former lawmaker Ip Kwok-him has lashed back at a Beijing scholar who called Hong Kong's pro-establishment camp "loyal rubbish."

The National People's Congress deputy was blunt in saying that he was upset by the director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, Tian Feilong, who has said Beijing does not need "rubber stamp or loyal rubbish" after changing the SAR's electoral system.

"Describing people as 'loyal rubbish' is impolite and insulting," Ip told Sing Tao Daily, The Standard's sister publication. "Making remarks like that, others may think that Tian is a rubbish scholar too."

He added that everyone has freedom of speech to criticize others. But as a scholar, he should not use impolite words.

Ip said many mainland scholars do not understand the problems of the Legislative Council.

"Although the pro-establishment camp has the majority of seats in the council, we still cannot do whatever we want," Ip said.