Hong Kong will 'fearlessly take action' against independence talk

Hong Kong will "fearlessly take action" against independence calls and protect China's interests, leader Carrie Lam said Wednesday, as concerns grow that the city's freedoms face an unprecedented challenge from Beijing.

Lam's annual policy address came as her government stood accused of attacking press freedoms for barring a Financial Times journalist from working in Hong Kong after he chaired a talk by an independence activist at the city's press club.

Any talk of independence incenses Beijing as President Xi Jinping increasingly emphasises the importance of territorial integrity.

"I will not tolerate any acts that advocate Hong Kong's independence and threaten the country's sovereignty, security and development interests," Lam told legislators in a televised address.

"We will fearlessly take action against such acts according to the law in order to safeguard the interests of the country and Hong Kong."