Hong Kong will introduce new requirements for district councillors to take an oath swearing to uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the government.
Those who violate their oaths will be barred from election for five years, the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang announced on Tuesday. The ban will also apply to legislative councillors who violate their oaths of loyalty.
Behaviors that would be deemed incompliant with the oath include committing acts prohibited by Article 23 of the Basic Law and the National Security Law, or other offences that endanger Hong Kong’s national security. Any refusal to recognise China’s sovereignty over Hong Kong and to object the government’s performance of duties and functions.
The amendments to the Public Offices (Candidacy and Taking Up Offices) (Miscellaneous) Ordinance will arrive at the legislature for the first and second reading on March 17.
All but one district councils were won by pro-democracy candidates last year, after they swept the board in the local elections. The district council elections are the only fully democratic elections in the city.
More to follow.
