Hong Kong court dismisses anti-China lawmakers from parliament
A court in Hong Kong has disqualified two lawmakers from the Chinese city's parliament after Beijing ruled that they should be barred from taking office over anti-China remarks.
Hong Kong's High Court ruled on Tuesday that Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching invalidated their oaths of office last month after misreading the texts and using expletives that violated China's sovereignty.
"Mr. Leung and Ms. Yau have been disqualified from assuming and have vacated the office of a member of the Legislative Council," said a written ruling from the court, adding, "The oaths purportedly taken by Mr. Leung and Ms. Yau on Oct. 12, 2016... are invalid and void and have no legal effect."
China's parliament has furiously reacted to the independence-seeking conduct of the two lawmakers. A final ruling came from Beijing last week, saying that any oath taker must follow the prescribed wording of the oath, adding that Leung and Yau took the oath in a manner that was not sincere or not solemn.
Independence activists criticized China's interpretation of Hong Kong's mini constitution, known as the Basic Law, saying China should respect the judicial independence of the territory under a 1997 deal with Britain, known as the one country, two systems.
Hong Kong's pro-China leader said on Tuesday that his administration would be tough on activists pushing for independence from China.
"Those who are advocating for independence and other forms of splitting from the country are a small minority but I cannot lower my guard and cannot (give them) any tolerance," Leung Chung-ying said, adding, "Members of the Hong Kong independence (movement) cannot appear in the political system."
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