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Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam oversees swearing in of 90 new lawmakers, launching first Legislative Council of ‘patriots-only’ era
- Proceedings pass without any of the improper oath-taking antics of the 2016 ceremony, though two lawmakers-elect ordered to repeat their vows over missing words
- The 90 politicians pledge in front of Lam and the national flag to uphold Hong Kong’s mini-constitution and laws
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All 90 of Hong Kong’s newly elected lawmakers returned under Beijing’s “patriots-only” overhaul of the political system were sworn in on Monday in a ceremony officiated by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, with none of the oath-taking protest antics by opposition legislators that led to their disqualification in 2016.
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The city’s red-and-white emblem featuring the bauhinia flower that is usually displayed in the Legislative Council chamber was replaced by a national one for the ceremony, which began with lawmakers facing the five-star and bauhinia flags as they sang the country’s anthem.
The Legco secretariat later confirmed that the national emblem would remain in the chamber, while the city’s bauhinia insignia would be displayed below it.
The decision was jointly made by three leading lawmakers from the legislature’s previous term, namely Legco president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, house committee chairwoman Starry Lee Wai-king and Lee’s deputy Ma Fung-kwok.
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