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Reshaping Hong Kong Continues With Pro-Democracy Lawmaker Crisis: Analysis

Tommy Walker

   HONG KONG - From a distance, it might seem Hong Kong's turmoil and
   chaos have lessened as the National Security Law and the global
   pandemic put a lid on mass pro-democracy protests that rocked the city
   last year. In reality, since coming into effect, the security law has
   been a catalyst for sweeping internal changes within the
   semi-autonomous city.
   In the most recent case, four legislators, Alvin Yeung, Kwok Ka-ki,
   Dennis Kwok and Kenneth Leung, were removed Wednesday and lost their
   seats within Hong Kong's top legislature. In August, they were part of
   a group of 12 pro-democracy election hopefuls who were all disqualified
   from running in the Legislative Council elections, initially due to
   take place in September.
   All candidates were disqualified because of their failure to uphold
   Hong Kong's Basic Law, according to the government.
   Because the pandemic forced postponement of the elections for a year,
   however, the four lawmakers in question had been able to keep their
   seats--until now.
   But Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam had long searched for a way to
   remove them. Lam openly sought guidance from China's Standing Committee
   of National People's Congress (NPCSC) for a resolution.

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