Hong Kong’s security chief has said the two groups the government is considering banning are separatist organisations that intend to subvert state power, warning residents not to work with them.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung also vowed on Tuesday to crack down on any attempts to disrupt the December 7 Legislative Council election, after 35 related cases that saw 29 people arrested.

On Monday, the government revealed that it was considering for the first time using its powers under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to ban two organisations deemed subversive – the Canada-based “Hong Kong Parliament” and the Taiwan-based “Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union”.

“I have considered the relevant evidence and believe that the prohibition is a necessary move to safeguard national security,” Tang said.

“The purpose of these two organisations is to split the country and subvert state power. They promote so-called autonomy, namely Hong Kong independence, and their so-called Hong Kong constitution.

“In fact, this undermines the basic system of our national constitution and also damages the body of power of Hong Kong and our country.”