Chief Executive CY Leung has refuted suggestions it is political censorship to require 2016 Legislative Council Election candidates to declare they will uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Speaking to the media today, Mr Leung said the arrangement has been made in accordance with the law and showcases the rule of law in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is part of China regardless of time, and the "independence of Hong Kong" has no legal foundation before or after 2047, he added.