Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers say 'damage' done by Beijing is 'unprecendented'

Record ID: 79862

  • Title: Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers say 'damage' done by Beijing is 'unprecendented'
  • Date: 7th November 2016
  • Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (NOVEMBER 7, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** CIVIC PARTY LEGISLATORS POSING FOR PHOTO BEFORE PRESS CONFERENCE MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) CIVIC PARTY, LEGISLATOR, DENNIS KWOK, SAYING: "They used the label of 'interpretation of the Basic Law', but what in fact they're doing is interpreting and interfering with domestic Hong Kong legislation, the legislation being the oaths and declaration ordinance. These are domestic legislation that has to be enacted through the Hong Kong legislature and nobody else, and that is why we see that the damage that will be done by this interpretation to the rule of law and the system in Hong Kong is unprecedented." NEWS CONFERENCE UNDERWAY (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) CIVIC PARTY LEADER AND LEGISLATOR, ALVIN YEUNG, SAYING: "This interpretation of the Basic Law will not just mean the two legislators, Yau and Leung lose their positions but it will also keep people wondering whether other legislators who have taken similar oaths, will be able to keep their seats. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LOGO NEWS CONFERENCE ENDING
  • Embargoed: 22nd November 2016 07:43
  • Keywords: China Hong Kong pro-democracy law legislation basic law independence
  • Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
  • City: HONG KONG, CHINA
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Lawmaking,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA00157G2RLX
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong said on Monday (November 7) that the damage caused by Beijing's interpretation of an oath-taking law is "unprecedented".
    China's parliament passed a ruling earlier 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 1997 handover.
    "They used the label of 'interpretation of the Basic Law', but what in fact they're doing is interpreting and interfering with domestic Hong Kong legislation, the legislation being the oaths and declaration ordinance. These are domestic legislation that has to be enacted through the Hong Kong legislature and nobody else, and that is why we see that the damage that will be done by this interpretation to the rule of law and the system in Hong Kong is unprecedented," Civic Party legislator Dennis Kwok told reporters at a news conference in Hong Kong.
    The move 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 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.
    "This interpretation of the Basic Law will not just mean the two legislators, Yau and Leung lose their positions but it will also keep people wondering whether other legislators who have taken similar oaths, will be able to keep their seats," said Civic Party Leader Alvin Yeung.
    Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying said the city's government would fully implement China's interpretation of the mini-constitution, although it was not immediately clear if that meant the pro-independence pair were already disqualified from office.
    While the controversial decision effectively bars the two pro-independence Hong Kong politicians from being sworn in, a court in the Chinese-ruled city must still rule on the case, taking Beijing's decision into consideration.
    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 preempt an ongoing Hong Kong court case.
    The move was expected to enrage Hong Kong democracy activists further, a day after hundreds of demonstrators clashed with police in running battles around China's representative office in Hong Kong.
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