A Hong Kong pro-independence activist decried Beijing's rule as modern-day colonialism in a speech today to a foreign journalists' association that defied the Chinese government's demand to cancel the event.
The government's demand raised questions about Beijing's growing influence in the former British colony, which was promised semi-autonomy and freedom of speech as part of the 1997 handover.
President Xi Jinping and other officials have warned separatist activity would not be tolerated.
Small groups of pro-Beijing and pro-democracy protesters gathered outside the Foreign Correspondents Club's building in Hong Kong ahead of and during the speech by Andy Chan of the Hong Kong National Party.
Some pro-Beijing protesters carried banners saying "Hong Kong independence is poisonous."
"The cry for Hong Kong independence is therefore a cry against colonial invasion."
It says it believes its members and the public have the right "to hear the views of different sides in any debate."
Hong Kong officials have dismissed the FCC's argument that Chan's appearance amounts to a free speech matter, with the territory's former chief executive C.Y. Leung equating the FCC event with giving a platform to "criminals and terrorists."
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