China administered-Hong Kong bans political party

China administered-Hong Kong today banned a political party named Hong Kong National Party(HKNP) for "in the interest of national security, public safety, public order, and the protection of rights and freedom of others".

Also Read:In a first, Chinese-ruled Hong Kong moves to ban separatist group

The party was founded by 28-year-old Hong Kong resident Andy Chan who is known to be an advocate of Hong Kong's independence from China.

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Last month, Chan spoke at Hong Kong's Foreign Correspondent's Club asserting that he will never stop in his pursuit "for freedomhuman rights, equality and dignity", calling China our "colonial master". Chan has been blocked from standing for office since 2014 after he took part in the "umbrella revolution".

Chan said he would not immediately comment on the decision.

Hong Kong which was formally a colony of Britain till 1997 is governed under the "one country, two systems" principle by China. The principle allows Hong Kong a degree of autonomy in press and speech not normally enjoyed in mainland China.

Hong Kong's security minister John Lee said he had upheld a police request to ban the party.

Lee said the party had tried to infiltrate schools and had spread "hatred and discrimination" against mainland Chinese people in Hong Kong. "It has a clear agenda in making Hong Kong a republic," Lee added.

In July, Hong Kong police had requested HKNP to be banned under the Societies Ordinance.

Human Rights Watch called the ban "a milestone in the Beijing and Hong Kong governments' assault on Hong Kong's freedoms".

Last year President Xi Xinping during his visit to the city had said any attempt to endanger China's sovereignty would mean crossing the "red line".