Hong Kong district councillors face first oath-taking ceremony on Friday, participants must don ‘business attire’, shun political slogans
- Politicians representing areas on Hong Kong Island will be the first to have to swear allegiance to the city
- Most district councillors have already quit over fears they would have to repay salary if disqualified
The first oath-taking ceremony for district councillors to swear allegiance to Hong Kong will be held on Friday, with participants required to don “business attire” and shun political slogans.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Tuesday said 260 out of 452 members elected to the municipal-level bodies had resigned and eight had either left Hong Kong or were in detention as of last weekend.
Many of those who quit were driven by fear they would have to pay back their salaries if disqualified.
Announcing the move on Tuesday, Lam said the first batch of councillors required to comply with Beijing’s rule to enforce “patriots governing Hong Kong” would be those from districts on Hong Kong Island.
“Letters will go out today to district councillors to invite them to take the oath,” she said, adding these would contain a dress code to remind them how to take the oath “solemnly and sincerely”.
“If they decline to come, it means they will lose their eligibility,” she added.