Members of the pro-establishment camp meets the media on Legislative Council's impasse, Hong Kong, April 14, 2020. (PARKER ZHENG/CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG - It’s appropriate for central government’s bodies responsible for Hong Kong affairs to speak out against attempts by opposition lawmakers to paralyze the legislature, the city’s pro-establishment lawmakers stressed on Tuesday.
READ MORE: LegCo quagmire condemned by HK political leaders
This show of support came after the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR were criticized by opposition lawmakers for “interfering in Hong Kong’s internal affairs.”
The two central government’s agencies condemned on Monday some opposition lawmakers, including Dennis Kwok Wing-hang, for failing to perform their duties in public office by paralyzing the legislature for over six months.
Legislator Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee noted that a legislature that fails to function is detrimental to the well-being of all Hong Kong residents, and, for that reason, the central government has the obligation to speak out
In a press briefing inside the Legislative Council complex, legislator Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee noted that a legislature that fails to function is detrimental to the well-being of all Hong Kong residents, and, for that reason, the central government has the obligation to speak out.
Legislator Gary Chan Hak-kan stressed that HKMAO and the liaison office made the comments to ensure the proper implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle for the long-term stability of Hong Kong.
He added the pro-establishment camp is considering to table a motion of no confidence against legislator Kwok, who had presided in 14 meetings without any success in electing the committee’s chairperson.
LegCo President Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen said that the comments of the two central government’s bodies were an expression of concern about Hong Kong’s situation, and the move was understandable.
ALSO READ: Opposition condemned for HK LegCo quagmire
He stressed that it’s unsatisfactory that the House Committee has failed to elect a chairperson after 14 meetings in six months, leaving 14 bills on hold, and 89 subsidiary legislations expired in the committee’s schedule.
He noted that the LegCo has Rules of Procedure to deal with Kwok’s handling of the election.
He called on lawmakers to settle disputes and fulfill legislative duties stipulated in the Basic Law in a pragmatic and united manner, as less than three months are left in the current LegCo term.
