Pro-Beijing heavyweight says central government yet to decide on whether four disqualified Hong Kong lawmakers should serve in provisional Legco term
- Tam Yiu-chung’s remarks come as he leaves for session in capital with country’s top legislative body, where matter is expected to be discussed
- Conundrum follows postponement of city’s elections for a year, creating so-called vacuum for legislature that needs to be filled
A pro-Beijing heavyweight has insisted that the central government has yet to make up its mind on whether four disqualified opposition lawmakers should be allowed to serve a provisional term in Hong Kong’s legislature.
Tam Yiu-chung, the city’s sole delegate to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), made the comments on Friday ahead of a four-day meeting by China’s top legislative body, with a decision on the fate of the group likely to come from the session.
Overwhelming calls from Tam’s camp have emerged for the lawmakers in question to be barred from another term as they have been banned from the Legislative Council elections. The polls, originally set for September 6, have been postponed for a year, with a transitional legislature expected to be in place.
“Everyone prefers the [rest of the] incumbents to continue with their work,” Tam said before departing for the Chinese capital to join the meeting.
He was referring to the so-called vacuum in Legco following the polls postponement, a move which has raised concerns from the opposition, lawyers and the international community.
Tam said the status of the four disqualified lawmakers was “pending a discussion” in the meeting in Beijing.