Hong Kong: Bar on pro-democracy leaders

Hong Kong’s legislature again descended into chaos on Wednesday as the pro-Beijing camp blocked the swearing-in of two new lawmakers who want the city to split from China. Tensions are high in the semi-autonomous city as fears grow that Beijing is tightening its grip.

A new wave of lawmakers advocating independence and self-determination were voted into the Legislative Council (Legco), Hong Kong’s lawmaking body, in polls last month.

But at last week’s swearing-in ceremony, pro-independence lawmakers Yau Wai-ching and Baggio Leung had their oaths rejected after they draped themselves in “Hong Kong is not China” flags.

They were given permission to retake their oaths on Wednesday, but when it came time to do so, pro-Beijing lawmakers walked out, forcing the meeting to be suspended due to an insufficient number of legislators in the chamber. That led to a shouting match between pro-Beijing and pro-democracy legislators outside the chamber.

“If they want people to respect their oaths, they have to express regret over their behaviour last week and apologise to all Chinese,” pro-Beijing lawmaker Priscilla Leung told reporters.

Her fellow legislators chanted “apologise”. Hundreds of pro-Beijing supporters waved Chinese flags and stamped on pictures of Baggio and Yau outside the legislative council building ahead of the swearing in.

Baggio and Yau said they would not apologise for last week’s behaviour. “We are empowered by the people to enter the Legco,” Baggio said.