In the Government Work Report he delivered to the fifth plenary session of the 12th National People's Congress on Sunday, Premier Li Keqiang said that calls for "Hong Kong independence" will "lead nowhere".

This is the first time the central government has touched on this issue in its work report to the nation's highest body of state power, showing the central authorities' increasing concern about the disruption being done to social harmony and Hong Kong's reputation as a law-abiding place to do business by the activities of separatists and so-called localists.

The calls for "Hong Kong independence" have already led to many illegal acts, including street violence, vandalism and arson, and attempts by some to subvert their oaths of office.