Hong Kong¡¯s opposition bloc resigned en masse on Wednesday after China moved to disqualify lawmakers who aren¡¯t deemed sufficiently loyal, one of Beijing¡¯s strongest actions yet to quash dissent in the territory.
Fifteen members of the pro-democracy camp in the 70-seat Legislative Council quit following the disqualification of four members under Beijing¡¯s new rules. The announcement was made at a joint briefing, at which the lawmakers held hands and chanted protest slogans including ¡°Hong Kong add oil ¡ª together we stand.¡±
¡°This move makes it clear that dictatorship has descended on to Hong Kong and that Chinese Communist Party can eradicate all opposing voices in the legislature,¡± Fernando Cheung, one of the lawmakers, said earlier by phone. ¡°There¡¯s no more separation of powers, no more ¡®one country, two systems,¡¯ and therefore no more Hong Kong as we know it.¡±
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