Hong Kong’s pro-democracy MPs resign in protest against dismissal of four colleagues for ‘endangering security’

Dennis Kwok, Kenneth Leung, Kwok Ka-ki, Alvin Yeung
(l-r) Dennis Kwok, Kenneth Leung, Kwok Ka-ki and Alvin Yeung, pose after a press conference at Hong Kong’s Legislative Council 
AP
Michael Howie11 November 2020

Hong Kong's pro-democracy opposition lawmakers have announced they will resign in protest against the dismissal of four of their colleagues from the city assembly after Beijing gave local authorities new powers to further curb dissent.

The Chinese parliament adopted a resolution earlier on Wednesday allowing the city's executive to expel legislators deemed to be advocating Hong Kong independence, colluding with foreign forces or threatening national security, without having to go through the courts.

Shortly after, the local government announced the disqualification of four assembly members -  Kwok Ka-Ki, Alvin Yeung, Dennis Kwok and Kenneth Leung - who had previously been barred from running for re-election as authorities deemed their pledge of allegiance to Hong Kong was not sincere.

The moves will raise further concern in the West about the level of Hong Kong's autonomy, promised under a "one country, two systems" formula when Britain ended its colonial rule and handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997.

"We can no longer tell the world that we still have 'one country, two systems, this declares its official death," Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-Wai told a news conference which started with all opposition lawmakers holding hands.

While the city's Legislative Council is controlled by a pro-Beijing camp, the resignations of its pro-democracy lawmakers would turn it into a rubber stamp.

The opposition members have tried to make a stand against what many people in the former British colony see as Beijing's whittling away of freedoms and institutional checks and balances, despite a promise of a high degree of autonomy.

"My mission as a legislator to fight for democracy and freedom cannot continue but I would certainly go along if Hong Kong people continue to fight for the core values of Hong Kong," Kwok Ka-Ki told reporters.

China denies curbing rights and freedoms in the global financial hub, but authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing have moved swiftly to stifle dissent after anti-government protests flared in June last year and plunged the city into crisis.

On June 30, Beijing introduced sweeping national security legislation to the city, punishing anything China considers subversion, secessionism, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.

Since then, authorities have removed some pro-democracy books from libraries, banned certain songs and other activities in schools, declared some slogans illegal and raided the newsroom of an anti-government tabloid.

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