All of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy lawmakers resigned together Wednesday to protest a new law by China that allows for the removal of “unpatriotic” sitting legislators.
Fifteen lawmakers in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council announced that they will resign after four of their colleagues were removed under the new measure, which was passed by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top legislative body.
The resolution stipulates that Hong Kong legislators will immediately lose their positions for infractions such as promoting independence and engaging in “unpatriotic” acts considered to threaten national security.
“We announce we will resign from our positions as our colleagues are being disqualified by the central government’s ruthless move,” Democratic Party Chairman Wu Chi-wai told reporters.
