Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has descended into chaos following the election of out-spoken young politicians campaigning for increased independence and democracy for the semi-autonomous Chinese city.
In October the Council voided five swearing-in ceremonies after legislators used their oaths to protest against Chinese control.
Yau Wai-ching plowed through her oath despite official objections, appearing to pledge allegiance not to the People’s Republic of China but to the “People’s re-f***ing of Chee-na.”
Chee-na is understood to be a variation of Shina, a derogatory term for China.
The activist lawmaker also unfurled a banner saying 'Hong Kong is Not China'.
Other legislators used profanity, pledged allegiance to a “Hong Kong nation” or intentionally spoke too slowly.
Three of the lawmakers have since been able to retake their oaths, but Yau Wai-ching, 25, and Sixtus Leung, 30, have still not had their oaths accepted.
The pair have twice attempted to storm the chamber to retake their oaths, leading to chaos.
The first attempt resulted in parliament being adjourned.
The second attempt, this Tuesday, resulted in a brawl.
After the pair ran in, security guards tried to drag them out but were obstructed by pro-autonomy members who surrounded them and lay on the floor.
Newly elected lawmaker Baggio Leung is restrained after attempting to read out his Legislative Council oath at Legco in Hong Kong on November 2, 2016. Source: AFP
Amid the chaos, Leung shouted that the Council was shutting him out illegally.
The pair of provocative rogue members have been condemned by Chinese state news agencies, with that central government plans to intervene.
Unless their oaths are recognised, the pair cannot participate in parliamentary votes.
Newly elected lawmaker Yau Wai-ching, 25, runs into the main chamber before attempting to take her Legislative Council oath in Hong Kong on November 2, 2016. Source: ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images
The Council is seeking to bar them from retaking their oaths, instead seeking a court order that the seats be vacated.
A judge refused to grant an immediate injunction against the pair, but did refer the matter for a hearing.
In an attempt to resolve the issue, the Council president then invited Yau Wai-ching and Sixtus Leung to retake their oaths, but pro-China legislators staged a walkout leading to insufficient quorum.
The president has since resolved to wait for the outcome of the legal case, which commences today.
The increased level of confrontation comes after student-led pro-democracy sit-ins in 2014 brought the city’s CBD to a standstill and made headlines around the world.
Newly elected Hong Kong lawmakers Yau Wai-ching, leftSixtus Leung are surrounded by photographers in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Source: AP Photo/Vincent Yu
Known as the Umbrella Revolution, the protests failed to extract concrete concessions from mainland officials, but record turnout in elections this September saw significant support for pro-independence candidates.
One newly-elected legislator held a yellow umbrella as she took her oath.
Opinions on the recent scuffles are divided, with some supporting the outspoken activists and others condemning them.
A Chinese business association took out a newspaper ad admonishing the pair for “insulting the Chinese people”.
Hong Kong has been under Chinese control since 1997, when it was returned to China by the UK.
Pro-democracy protesters use umbrellas to shield themselves from pepper spray as police attempt to disperse protesters on September 28, 2014. Source: AFP
The region has a ‘mini-constitution’ granting a degree of democracy and freedom of expression but reiterating that area remains a part of China.
“Any statements and activities advocating ‘Hong Kong independence’ should be punished under the law, and there is no reason for indulgence,” said Zhang Xiaoming, Beijing’s top liaison officer in Hong Kong.
He has described the legislators’ actions as “vile".
Observers expect mainland China to intervene if the Legislative Council cannot bring matters under control, with reports in local media that Beijing already plans on doing so.
