Hong Kong localist lawmaker Cheng Chung-tai removed from Legislative Council seat

Chief Secretary John Lee, acting as head of vetting group for Election Committee polls, says Cheng could not uphold allegiance to city

Cheng, who was convicted in 2017 of desecrating the national and Hong Kong flags, says he considers himself a patriot

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Cheng Chung-tai turns national and Hong Kong flags upside down in the Legislative Council chamber in October 2016. Photo K. Y. Cheng

Published: 4:28pm, 26 Aug 2021Updated: 6:16am, 27 Aug 2021

Hong Kong’s only opposition lawmaker, Cheng Chung-tai, was removed from his Legislative Council seat on Thursday with immediate effect, becoming the first casualty of a stringent vetting process laid down by Beijing earlier this year to ensure that only those deemed “patriots” hold elected office.

Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu made the announcement as chairman of the seven-member Candidate Eligibility Review Committee, which screens those running for membership in the Election Committee, as well as the legislative and leadership polls.

“The Candidate Eligibility Review Committee will not allow anyone who pretends to uphold the Basic Law or pretends to bear allegiance to the city to enter the system,” said Lee, who was Hong Kong’s security chief before being promoted to the city’s No 2 post in June.

“Scammers are skilled in playing different roles. But for these people who pretend to bear allegiance, I will not be tricked by their words as they try to cleanse themselves.”

Hong Kong No 2 official John Lee chairs a vetting body which will screen candidates for the coming Election Committee polls. Photo: Nora Tam

Cheng, from the Civic Passion localist party, was convicted in 2017 of desecrating the national and Hong Kong flags after he turned them upside down during a Legco debate the previous year and fined HK$5,000 (US$645).