All Hong Kong opposition lawmakers quit following camp’s vow to resign en masse over Beijing resolution
- But the resignations for most legislators will take effect next month as they need time to sort out administrative matters
- State Council’s representative office calls pan-democrats’ protest tactic a farce and challenge to the central government’s authority
But most of the resignations will only take effect next month as lawmakers needed time to sort out administrative issues, such as handing over their offices and laying off assistants.
The departures were in response to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) endorsing a resolution on Wednesday requiring the removal of any member of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council found to have violated their duty of allegiance or endangered national security. Four opposition legislators were immediately disqualified and their remaining colleagues said they would all quit in protest.
Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai said the pan-democrats’ final working day at Legco was Thursday, but their departure would take effect on December 1.
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After all opposition members resign, Hong Kong’s Legislative Council tries to resume session
“This is for us to handle the dismissal of our staff members and assistants,” Wu said. “Beijing has authorised the chief executive to make so-called decisions [on disqualification]. This has announced the death of ‘one country, two systems’.”