October 12, 2016: ‘Declaration of war as Hong Kong Legco opens’
- Protest banners, questions of nationality and modified oaths signal a turbulent start to the new term
- Two Youngspiration election winners and one pan-democrat have their oaths rejected as others face no repercussions
By Joyce Ng, Stuart Lau and Owen Fung
Hong Kong’s newly elected legislature descended into open war yesterday with localists brandishing “Hong Kong is not China” banners at their swearing- in ceremony, while a pro-establishment stalwart was elected president after being taken to task over his British nationality.
Three localist and pan-democratic lawmakers’ oaths were declared invalid after they modified the words, with two of them referring to Hong Kong as a nation, and insulting China, plunging the Legislative Council into uncertainty and setting the stage for acrimony that threatens the elected body that keeps a check on the government with unprecedented paralysis.
Yesterday’s chaos signalled a tumultuous four-year term ahead for the new Legco, and the prospect of frequent clashes with the government, while the new president, with his credibility under attack, looked set to struggle to control localist lawmakers.
The drama began with the oath-taking session of the 70 lawmakers turning into a platform for some to trumpet their aspirations, from sustainable development to self-determination for the city.
