The government assures the public that it had nothing to do with the creation of the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association (HKACA) after a lawmaker asked Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing whether it did.
The HKACA is a new and mysterious new group with the aim of “encouraging the youth in Hong Kong to be aware of their responsibilities and obligations as Chinese citizens”.
Its opening ceremony, held at the Ngong Shuen Chau PLA barracks on Jan. 18, was attended by only select (i.e. pro-Beijing) media.
In attendance was chief executive’s wife, Regina Leung, who is reportedly the group’s “commander-in-chief”.
CY Leung, the director of the mainland Liaison office, and the commander of the Hong Kong Garrison are also apparently “honorary patrons” of the Army Cadets.
The secretary for home affairs said that although it welcomes the new “uniformed group” (a type of organisation that includes the Scouts), the government had no part in its formation and does not provide any financial support.
He also stated that the government does not participate in its activities in any way, and that the HKACA is not subordinate to the Hong Kong Garrison.
Finally, he urged the HKACA to work on its transparency so that the public can stop being so darn suspicious about it, which kind of sounds like he’s admitting their weariness is justified.
The public was indeed quite alarmed when news of the organisation’s launch first emerged, and their speculations were stoked further off the backs of reports about kids claiming they were tricked into attending the ceremony.
