October 12, 2016

Pro-democracy activists sworn in to Hong Kong parliament

located:	Hong Kong
editor:	Vanessa Ellingham

Two years after the umbrella protests, activists against China's authoritarian rule have been sworn in to Hong Kong's parliament.

The movement, in which protestors brought the city to a halt, was criticised back in 2014 for failing to produce any tangible change for the city state.

But in fact it has produced six young pro-democracy politicians who were all sworn in to parliament today.

Eager to make their intentions clear, the pro-democracy lawmakers used the swearing-in as an opportunity to thumb their noses at China.

One quoted Mahatma Gandhi, another wore a banner that read "Hong Kong is not China".

Others messed with the oath that pledges allegiance to uphold the Chinese laws but in place in 1997, crossing their fingers behind their backs, reading it in slow-motion, or referring to China with the derogatory "Shina".

So what does this mean for Hong Kong?

It means that the popular protest's interests are represented at lawmaking level. That there is now an alternate voice to China's communist party backed by the support of voters.

It means that the 'one party - two systems' framework that has given greater freedoms to Hong Kong than the mainland is likely to collapse. But whether that means stricter controls from China or rebellion led by these newly-elected officials remains to be seen.