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“We will never allow anyone to rip out any part of our territory,” Chinese president says

Xi Jinping recalls China's military strength · A row over the oaths of two Hong Kong pro-sovereignty lawmakers is stirring criticism against Beijing in the former colony

Xi Jinping.
Xi Jinping. Author: Hye900711
After one tense month over the row of Hong Kong's pro-sovereignty elected lawmakers, Chinese President Xi Jinping today said that China "never allow anyone, any organization or political Party to rip out any part of our territory". Xi further recalled China's mighty military power.

According to Xi, "any attempt to split the country will be resolutely opposed by all Chinese people."

The Chinese government has finally intervened in the case of the two elected lawmakers of Hong Kong's pro-sovereignty Youngspiration party, who for three times have attempted to read their oaths of office using formulas that mixed pro-independence manifestation with wordings that China deemed disrespectful.

In the end, Beijing has decided to effectively prevent both of them —Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching— from taking office.

Xi said these words at a ceremony commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sun Yat-sen, one of the leaders of the 1911 revolution that overthrew the Qing dynasty and established the first Republic of China: "Sun unequivocally opposed any remarks or actions that attempted to split the country or the nation."

China's major points of pro-autonomy or pro-independence agitation are currently five. Hong Kong is now receiving the most media attention, amid tensions between pro-Beijing and pro-autonomy camps.

The other four main focal points are Tibet and East Turkestan —where local movements are calling since decades for broad autonomy—, Taiwan —which operates as a de facto independent country— and Inner Mongolia —where demands are primarily focused on respect for language and culture.