Riot may spell end of radicalism in HK

For starters, "Occupy" gave rise to a political faction raising the banners of "localism", "de-Sinofication" and "Hong Kong independence"; the group behind the latest riot in Mongkok - Hong Kong Indigenous - openly advocates separating Hong Kong from the mainland. It has carried out a series of disruptive acts since it was founded after "Occupy".

A similar development has seen the spread of a radical student movement in local institutions of higher learning, led by the University of Hong Kong - the birthplace of the illegal "Occupy" campaign. The fanning of youthful fervor culminated in a student siege of a HKU Council meeting on Jan 26, at which the chancellor of the century-old university was present and believed his life was in danger.

Earlier this month two "localist" candidates entered the race for leadership of the Chinese University of Hong Kong student union. They both claim to support "self-decision for Hong Kong people" and "Hong Kong's fate in our own hands". The choice of these slogans surprised no one because both candidates took part in the illegal "Occupy" campaign.

Yet another negative effect of "Occupy" has been collective efforts by opposition lawmakers to obstruct the lawful administration of the SAR government with such unpopular tactics as filibustering government bills and aborting important legislative sessions. The fact that these ill-motivated politicians have committed themselves to harming the overall interests of Hong Kong society despite growing public resentment shows how desperate they are.

Choosing the most important traditional Chinese holiday, the Lunar New Year, to vent their anger against the establishment by staging a riot can only be interpreted as a sign of desperation by the separatists. This will ultimately spell the end of "localism", "de-Sinofication" and "Hong Kong independence".

The author is a senior research fellow of China Everbright Holdings.