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Hong Kong’s most senior politician, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, said on Monday that his government would “fully implement” a ruling from Beijing that effectively bars two elected pro-independence lawmakers from the city’s legislature.
After the standing committee of the Chinese Communist Party’s National People’s Congress (NPC) announced its verdict that the pair had deliberately misread their oaths of office – and that they should not be permitted to retake them – Leung said that verdict would be obeyed.
“Any words or deeds that deliberately contravene (the central government’s) requirements, defy the prescribed oath-taking procedures, or even use the opportunity to insult the country and the Chinese people and advocate secession, must be stopped in accordance with the law,” Leung said.
The two pro-independence lawmakers, Yau Wai-ching and Baggio Leung, had included expletives and derogatory terms in their oaths of office last month. They were initially offered a chance to re-take their oaths, but both the Hong Kong government and Beijing acted to stop that happening.
Leung added: “The NPC has been very careful when exercising its right (of interpretation) and does not exercise unless it is necessary… (The) central government has always paid attention to Hong Kong affairs.”
Outside the Hong Kong government’s headquarters, public reaction was mixed.
“I believe that the Hong Kong independence movement will now grow up faster and stronger”
“They [the NPC] are not just interpreting the Basic Law (Hong Kong’s mini-constitution), they are actually adding and changing the law,” said Shirley Man, a social worker. “It’s scary. They can change our law any time they want and we are not protected.”
Jiang Long, a mainland Chinese professional who has lived in Hong Kong for the past decade, said however: “They (the two radical lawmakers) were asking for it. They were just looking for publicity. They underestimate the reactions of the Central government. They are too young.
“Besides, they can try to get re-elected in four years.”
Tony Kong, a young man who had attended protests against Beijing’s intervention said: “I’m more than angry. Surely this violates the independence of law in Hong Kong. I’m worried about the future here. Without judicial independence, the economy will also be damaged.”
Lawrence Chan, a local activist, said: “The NPC interpretation will destroy our judicial independence. And I believe that the Hong Kong independence movement will now grow up faster and stronger.”
Beijing has given an interpretation of the Basic Law. It is up to Hong Kong to uphold the law and call for by elections for these two seats.
BURNED!!!! Don’t mess with Beiling!!!!
The future for HK is bleak. HK people can protest loudly because they still have jobs, property prices are high, they have means to sustain their high cost of living.
So, China can easily make HK become humble: Shanghai will replace HK as the financial center. Drastically reduce mainland tourists. De-list mainland companies from HK stock exchange. Container vessels are already calling China direct…HK’s role as a container port is much less now.
With a much weaker economy, HK people will know what it means to see HK property prices drop 50%, loss of jobs and being hungry. China is pretty fed-up now. HK continues to bite at the Motherland. They will no longer tolerate a disloyal HK.
This sounds like another CIA sponsored and financed colour revolution. Bejing should do a through job of investigating the leaders of these protests and look for any connections to foreign agents and governments. But it sure looks like a CIA job.
HK people complacency and the perceived entitled accommodation are the biggest developmental challenges, not Beijing ”s interpretation of the basic law.
Hahaha I meant Beijing! Double BURN!!!!!
To make life simple for Hong Kong citizens, China should govern Hong Kong directly and stop the fuss.
Trolls are phychopathic liars who excitedly thrive on feedbacks.
TRIPLE BURN!!!!!!!!!!
BURN!!!!