Pro-Beijing voices say support central government interpretation of Hong Kong basic law

Record ID: 79801

  • Title: Pro-Beijing voices say support central government interpretation of Hong Kong basic law
  • Date: 7th November 2016
  • Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (NOVEMBER 7, 2016) (REUTERS) PRO-BEIJING LAWMAKERS HOLDING PLACARDS SUPPORTING BEIJING'S INTERPRETATION READING: "Reject Hong Kong Independence, Condemn Violence, Support Interpretation" PLACARDS READING (Chinese): "Condemn Violence" MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRO-ESTABLISHMENT LAWMAKER, PRISCILLA LEUNG, SAYING: "We disagree that the interpretation would affect the rule of law in Hong Kong, because we find it to set a clearer guideline as to minimize the embarrassment between judiciary, legislature and the executive branch." PRO-BEIJING LAWMAKERS AT PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) PRO-ESTABLISHMENT LAWMAKER, PRISCILLA LEUNG, SAYING: "We believe that, especially with yesterday's violent protest which we condemn, we thought that from the violent riots in February to the independence movement, which is disguised as self-determination talk, is hurting Hong Kong and hurting the 'one country, two systems' policy. I think the earlier a line is drawn, the better." PRO-BEIJING LAWMAKERS HOLDING PLACARDS SUPPORTING BEIJING'S INTERPRETATION NEWS CONFERENCE IN SESSION FROM THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN HONG KONG, SONG RU'AN (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN HONG KONG, SONG RU'AN "The National People's Congress's interpretation of the meaning of the relevant Basic Law article is also necessary for safeguarding the 'one country, two systems' policy, and the Basic Law. It has not and will not affect the judicial independence of Hong Kong. On the contrary, it will only improve and strengthen Hong Kong's rule of law from the core of the Basic Law." BEIJING, CHINA (NOVEMBER 7, 2016) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN LU KANG WALKING IN FOR REGULAR BRIEFING MEDIA SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN LU KANG SAYING: "We hope the international community and relevant countries can recognise Hong Kong independence forces for what they really are, fully understand the necessity and rationality of interpretation of the law by China's National People's Congress, support China's central government and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government to protect sovereignty, security and integrity, protect the long-term prospect and stability in Hong Kong." HONG KONG, CHINA (NOVEMBER 7, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PRO-DEMOCRACY POLITICAL PARTY, LABOUR PARTY, DEMONSTRATING SIGN READING "Protect Hong Kong's legal system" PROTESTERS IN FRONT OF OFFICE OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT'S (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRO-DEMOCRACY LEGISLATOR, FERNANDO CHEUNG, SAYING: "Well, the interpretation itself certainly has eroded what we have continuously counting for, which is the rule of law in Hong Kong." VARIOUS OF PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST STICKING A PRINTOUT OF THEIR RESPONSE NEXT TO LIAISON OFFICE OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT'S SIGN ON THE WALL
  • Embargoed: 22nd November 2016 11:38
  • Keywords: China Hong Kong Beijing basic law interpretation lawmaker
  • Location: BEIJING/HONG KONG, CHINA
  • City: BEIJING/HONG KONG, CHINA
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA00157G2TZ9
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Pro-Beijing lawmakers and government spokespeople in Hong Kong and Beijing on Monday (November 7) offered their support for the central government's interpretation of Hong Kong's basic law, although a small number of pan-democrats protested against it.
    China's parliament passed a ruling on Monday that effectively bars two Hong Kong pro-independence politicians from taking office, Beijing's most direct intervention in the territory's legal and political system since the 1997 handover.
    The National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing ruled that lawmakers must swear allegiance to Hong Kong as part of China and that candidates would be disqualified if they changed the wording of their oath of office or if they failed to take it in a sincere and solemn manner.
    The rare move by Beijing came after pro-independence politicians Yau Wai-ching, 25, and Baggio Leung, 30, pledged allegiance to the "Hong Kong nation" and displayed a banner declaring "Hong Kong is not China" during a swearing-in ceremony for the city's legislative council in October.
    The Basic Law grants China's NPC a power of interpretation above Hong Kong's highest court. While it has made four other rulings since the 1997 handover, this ruling is its first move to pre-empt an ongoing Hong Kong court case.
    Hong Kong's pro-establishment lawmakers said they supported Beijing's interpretation.
    "We disagree that the interpretation would affect the rule of law in Hong Kong, because we find it to set a clearer guideline as to minimize the embarrassment between judiciary, legislature and the executive branch," said pro-establishment lawmaker, Priscilla Leung.
    "We believe that, especially with yesterday's violent protest which we condemn, we thought that from the violent riots in February to the independence movement, which is disguised as self-determination talk, is hurting Hong Kong and hurting the 'one country, two systems' policy. I think the earlier a line is drawn, the better," she added.
    The promotion of independence has long been taboo in Hong Kong, governed under a "one country, two systems" principle since 1997, amid fears in Beijing it could spread among other activists and challenge the central government's rule.
    Song Ru'an, deputy commissioner of the foreign affairs office in Hong Kong, spoke to foreign reporters in Hong Kong on the NPC's interpretation.
    Song said that the interpretation would only further "improve" Hong Kong's rule of law.
    "The National People's Congress's interpretation of the meaning of the relevant Basic Law article is also necessary for safeguarding the 'one country, two systems' policy, and the Basic Law. It has not and will not affect the judicial independence of Hong Kong. On the contrary, it will only improve and strengthen Hong Kong's rule of law from the core of the Basic Law," he said.
    In Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a regular press briefing that he hoped the international community would see the decision reflected the will of the Chinese people.
    "We hope the international community and relevant countries can recognise Hong Kong independence forces for what they really are, fully understand the necessity and rationality of interpretation of the law by China's National People's Congress, support China's central government and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government to protect sovereignty, security and integrity, protect the long-term prospect and stability in Hong Kong," Lu said.
    A small number of people, including pro-democracy activists and former lawmakers, held a protest in Hong Kong against China's ruling on the Basic Law.
    Labour Party lawmaker, Fernando Cheung, said China's ruling is damaging Hong Kong's rule of law.
    "Well, the interpretation itself certainly has eroded what we have continuously counting for, which is the rule of law in Hong Kong," Cheung said.
    The group put up a printout of their condemnation reading "Protect Hong Kong's legal system" on the wall of Liaison Office of China's Central Government, a symbol of Beijing in Hong Kong.
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