Anti-China pair demand place in Hong Kong legislature

Supporters form a human chain around Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching as the pair defy a banning order against them.

By Katie Stallard

Pro-independence lawmakers Yau Wai-ching (L) and Baggio Leung stand during a demonstration at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China October 26, 2016.

Two young pro-independence politicians have defied a banning order against them and forced their way into the Hong Kong parliament and demanded to take their oaths.
Democrats formed a human chain around Baggio Leung, 30, and Yau Wai-ching, 25, to protect them as they entered the legislature on Wednesday.
The newly-elected pair's oaths were invalidated earlier this month over comments and a banner deemed insulting to China.
The session rapidly descended into chaos as camera crews followed them into the chamber and surrounded their seats.
"If we lose this war ... our system is done for. We have no room to retreat," said Leung, tears welling in his eyes.
"Democratically-elected legislators need to take their oath," democrat members shouted as they shielded Yau and Leung.

Yau Wai-ching and Baggio Leung speak after trying to take their oaths

The legislature's president repeatedly asked them to leave, before abandoning the session after 30 minutes.
Leung and Yau are both members of Youngspiration, a political party that grew out of the 2014 street protest movement calling for democracy and universal suffrage.
They were elected in September amid a record turnout in the first public poll since the protests, as part of a new, younger generation of Hong Kong politicians who have risen to prominence.
They have called for independence for Hong Kong -- anathema to Beijing, which considers the territory an inalienable part of China.
During their oath-taking ceremony they pledged allegiance to "the Hong Kong nation" instead of the People's Republic, and appeared to deliberately mispronounce China, in what pro-Beijing groups have interpreted as an insult to the mainland.
Leung wrapped a flag around his shoulders during the ceremony which said: "Hong Kong is NOT China."

Cheng Chung-tai from the Civic Passion party protests in the chamber

Yau Wai-ching laid the same flag in front of her on the table and inserted an expletive into her oath, which she later attributed to her accent, and to English not being her first language.
Their oaths were due to be re-taken at a second meeting on 19 October, but had to be abandoned after pro-Beijing lawmakers, who hold the vast majority of seats, walked out of the chamber, rendering the session invalid.
The pair were then barred from the legislature until a judicial review on 3 November, at which the government will call for them to be disqualified from holding office, and their seats declared empty.
Pro-Beijing politicians have supported the council president's decision to bar Leung and Yau from the chamber.
"We hope the Legislative Council can resume order as soon as possible, and respect the decision made by the president," pro-Beijing lawmaker Starry Lee said.