'Hong Kong independence' a mirage

In the latest survey of the Center for Communication and Public Opinion Survey of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, more than 80 percent of the respondents said "Hong Kong independence" is impossible. The result clearly shows separatism does not enjoy the support of Hong Kong residents despite some local media and netizens hyping up "Hong Kong independence".

In the past couple of years, media outlets supporting the opposition parties and some local netizens, using distorted information and prejudiced views, have gone to great lengths to convince people that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is moving on a trajectory toward "independence". The latest survey, however, provides solid evidence that an overwhelming majority of SAR residents still respect China's sovereignty. And they know full well that Hong Kong's close ties with the Chinese mainland are essential for the city's prosperity, even survival.

Take economic ties for example. Although fewer mainland tourists have been visiting Hong Kong in recent years, they still comprise by far the largest group of visitors. Last year 45.8 million mainland residents visited Hong Kong, accounting for 77 percent of the total number of visitors. And a 2014 study found mainland visitors accounted for one-third of the total retail sales in the city. Due to the irreplaceable importance of mainland visitors to the SAR's economy, especially for the tourism and retail sectors, a majority of tourism-related companies still have a welcoming attitude toward them. A handful of disruptive elements that harassed, even attacked, mainland shoppers during protests in the past comprise only a tiny minority among Hong Kong's 7 million residents.