Hong Kong could lose the Central Government's support as a result of a small group of people's calls for independence and self-determination, Chief Executive CY Leung says.
Speaking to reporters ahead of an Executive Council meeting today, Mr Leung said independence advocates would bear the legal consequences, but the city's seven million people would have to bear the economic and political consequences.
Investors will also lose confidence in Hong Kong due to the uncertainties that may arise, he added.
Mr Leung pointed out that Mainland citizens attach great importance to national unity and oppose any move towards national fragmentation.
Calls for autonomy and protests against Mainland visitors will cause them to lose interest in travelling to Hong Kong and this would affect grassroots workers as many of them work in the tourism industry, he said.
Mr Leung added that legal issues and the overall interest of the community must be taken into account.
