Yeung under fire over 'unfeasible' comment

Mandy Zheng

The remark by the Secretary for Education, Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, that "Hong Kong independence is unfeasible" has invited criticism from pro-establishment heavyweights, who argue that independence should not be pursued regardless of its feasibility.

Tam Yiu-chung, the city's sole delegate to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and former chief executive Leung Chun-ying weighed in yesterday on Yeung's remark.

In a TV program on Sunday, Yeung said a former teacher at Alliance Primary School, who was deregistered as the Education Bureau accused him of promoting independence, had failed to guide pupils to come to the conclusion that the SAR's independence is "unfeasible."

But Tam said yesterday that Yeung's wording was inaccurate, adding: "It's not about whether Hong Kong independence is possible, but that it shouldn't happen."

Hong Kong independence should not be discussed in schools as the topic goes against the SAR's national security law, said Tam.

Meanwhile, Leung lashed out at Yeung in a Facebook post, demanding he offer a necessary clarification.

"What do you mean by 'unfeasible?' Should we do it if Hong Kong independence is feasible? Should we do it if killing parents is feasible?"

Leung has been a critic of the Education Bureau, which has refused his request to disclose the identities of teachers who commit professional misconduct.

The bureau has received 247 complaints against teachers suspected of misconduct during the social unrest. It has sent condemnation letters or written warnings to 33 teachers.

Also yesterday, Ip Kin-yuen, education sector lawmaker and vice-president of the Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union, and the union's president, Fung Wai-wah, filed an appeal with the bureau's appeal board panel on behalf of the deregistered teacher.

mandy.zheng@singtaonewscorp.com