It is the responsibility of both the government and the community to educate misinformed youths about China's sovereignty over Hong Kong, the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Leung Chun-ying, said on Tuesday.

Leung told reporters before a Tuesday Executive Council meeting that the region's Basic Law says Hong Kong's economic system and way of life will remain unchanged until 2047, there is no time limit on China's sovereignty.

Leung's remarks came in response to the notion of a poll on independence sought by student activists and opposition political figures. He said young people must be clear about the seriousness of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.