Student leaders like Wong Ching-tak believe they are defending Hong Kong’s freedoms and sparking a much-needed debate about independence for the semi-autonomous Chinese territory. Leading pro-Beijing figures say they are “losers” who must be stopped at any cost.
“We see that the Chinese government is intervening in our affairs and we have the feeling that we are invaded in all aspects,” says Mr Wong, head of the student union at the University of Hong Kong. “We cannot trust One Country, Two Systems any more and we have to search for other ways out, including Hong Kong independence.”
Hong Kong’s universities have been shaken by a bitter clash after students this month put up banners and posters supporting Hong Kong independence, sparking shouting matches and tense stand-offs with mainland students and other pro-China groups.