Hong Kong government accuses localist lawmakers of hurting feelings of Chinese with ‘offensive’ oath-taking
Youngspiration member refuses to say if will pronounce the word ‘China’ correctly at Legco ceremony next week
The Hong Kong government has denounced two localist lawmakers for modifying their oaths at Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony and hurting the feelings of Chinese people by displaying “Hong Kong is not China” banners and referring to the city as a “nation”.
“The oath-taking by members when assuming office upon the commencement of the new Legislative Council term is not just to ensure compliance with the law, but also a solemn promise they make as public officers to the entire community,” the government said in a written statement denouncing their behaviour.
“Some behaved in violation of the dignity expected of Legco members, or even spoke or acted in an offensive manner that harmed the feelings of our compatriots.”
Watch: three Hong Kong lawmakers have oaths rejected
Asked to elaborate, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said: “I think anyone with common sense would be very much saddened and disappointed when they heard the two lawmakers taking their oaths like that, right? Because oath-taking is a very serious and solemn procedure.”