The group took the decision after Beijing removes four lawmakers. For Carrie Lam, the Hong Kong’s parliament will not be Beijing's “rubber stamp”. Pro-democracy district councillors are now expected to be the next to go.
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) – All pro-democracy Members of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (LegCo) have resigned, leaving the assembly without any opposition.
The 15 lawmakers took the decision today after four pro-democracy LegCo Members were disqualified when Hong Kong authorities received the order from Beijing.
The four are: Alvin Yeung, Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki and Kenneth Leung. They were deemed guilty of undermining Hong Kong's security and failing to recognise China's sovereignty over the territory.
Wu Chi-wai, a member of the group, called the ouster of the four "totally ridiculous", an act that destroys the "One country, two systems" principle on which Hong Kong's open style was based. It also destroys the separation between the executive and legislative branches of government.
For her part, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam said this morning that even if the LegCo loses all the opposition, it will not be "a rubber stamp" of Beijing. " That certainly would not happen," she insisted.
At this afternoon’s press conference, after the four were removed, Lam said that she did not have the power to remove them, but Beijing’s order meant that the Hong Kong government had to execute it.
Asked if more public figures will be expelled in the future, Lam replied that decision will be made in due course.
Some young people think that pro-democracy district councillors will the next to go. In the last election, they won 90 per cent of the seats. (P.W.)
Photo: RTHK