Opinion | It’s time for Hong Kong pan-democrats to stand up and condemn localist lawmakers’ offensive behaviour

Gary Cheung notes the double standards of legislators who dare not criticise their activist colleagues for flouting Legco rules – and the norms of decency – for fear of losing youth support

Reading Time:2 minutes

Newly elected lawmaker Yau Wai-ching speaks to her fellow Youngspiration member Sixtus “Baggio” Leung on the day of the oath-taking ceremony last week. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 2:45pm, 17 Oct 2016Updated: 7:08pm, 17 Oct 2016

Two weeks ago, newly elected lawmaker Nathan Law Kwun-chung wore a suit and tie to take part in an edition of the Post’s “Redefining Hong Kong” debate. It was the first time I had seen the Occupy student-activist so formally dressed. He later explained that the invitation had asked attendees to come in business attire, and so he “respect[ed] the occasion”.

Sadly, “respecting the occasion” is no longer something we can expect of some people, particularly, it seems, young activists who champion lofty ideals. At the swearing-in ceremony for new legislators last Wednesday, Younspiration’s Sixtus “Baggio” Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-ching pledged allegiance to “the Hong Kong nation” and pronounced China as “Cheena”, a variation of the derogatory “Shina”. Both held up banners bearing the words “Hong Kong is not China”, while Yau mispronounced the “People’s Republic of China” as “People’s Re-f****** of Cheena” three times. Their oaths were invalidated and they must take it again on Wednesday.

The two localists stole the limelight all right. They may even take pride in shooting to international fame, as media organisations such as the BBC reported on their oaths being rejected.

But what they did was an example of failing to respect the occasion, which was a solemn ceremony for lawmakers taking office. Blaming the mispronunciation on their accent just shows that they are good at peddling low-grade humour; anyone with common sense will find their defence laughable.

‘Being young is not an excuse’: moderate former lawmaker criticises Hong Kong localists over oaths

The credibility of the Legislative Council is on the line. Photo: Bloomberg

Declaration of war as Hong Kong’s newly elected lawmakers plunge opening session into chaos

The two localists, who aim to use the legislature as a platform to advocate for the city’s self-determination, picked the wrong fight. What did they think they could achieve by staging this ugly show, apart from capturing media headlines and drawing condemnation from different quarters of the community? Their offensive act will only further discredit the Legislative Council, whose credibility is already in question after the spectacles of object-hurling and filibustering by members over the past few years.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x