国内英语资讯:HKs High Court disqualifies two nation-insulting legislators-elect_时事

国内英语资讯:HKs High Court disqualifies two nation-insulting legislators-elect

The two legislators-elect, Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-ching, used derogatory language insulting the Chinese nation when reading out their oaths at a swearing-in ceremony on Oct. 12. Yau also displayed a banner proclaiming "Hong Kong is not China."

Their provocative behavior has prompted the top legislature of the country, the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, to issue an interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong SAR on Nov. 7, clarifying the implications and requirements of oath-taking by Hong Kong legislators-elect.

According to the interpretation, oath-taking must comply with the legal requirements in respect of its form and content. An oath taker must take the oath sincerely and solemnly, and must accurately, completely and solemnly read out the oath prescribed by law.

The interpretation is binding on all Hong Kong courts and the courts should give effect to it, according to the court ruling.

If an elected LegCo member intentionally declines to take the LegCo Oath as prescribed under the ODO, the oath taken is invalid and he or she shall be disqualified from assuming the office, it said.

In response to media enquiries, an SAR government spokesman said the government noted the court's judgment on the construction of the relevant provisions in the ODO and the Legislative Council Ordinance in light of Article 104 of the Basic Law.

"We will consider the Interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the judgment and the way forward," said the spokesman.