This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-37627503

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hong Kong MP's oaths rejected after protest Hong Kong lawmakers stage anti-China oath protest
(about 2 hours later)
Three incoming Hong Kong lawmakers have not been sworn into the Legislative Council after using their oaths to stage anti-China protests.Three incoming Hong Kong lawmakers have not been sworn into the Legislative Council after using their oaths to stage anti-China protests.
Secretary General Kenneth Chen said the oaths of Sixtus Leung, Yau Wai-ching and Edward Yiu were invalid.Secretary General Kenneth Chen said the oaths of Sixtus Leung, Yau Wai-ching and Edward Yiu were invalid.
Mr Leung and Mr Wai-ching, members of the pro-independence Youngspiration party, swore while saying their oaths and mispronounced "China".Mr Leung and Mr Wai-ching, members of the pro-independence Youngspiration party, swore while saying their oaths and mispronounced "China".
The pair also displayed a banner with the words "HK is not China".The pair also displayed a banner with the words "HK is not China".
The third protester, independent MP Mr Yiu, added lines to his oath, including saying he would "fight for genuine universal suffrage". The third protester, Mr Yiu, an independent, added lines to his oath, saying he would "fight for genuine universal suffrage".
'Understand your duties'
The swearing-in ceremony was the first meeting of the LegCo since elections last month, in which several candidates calling for greater autonomy for Hong Kong - or for full independence - were elected.The swearing-in ceremony was the first meeting of the LegCo since elections last month, in which several candidates calling for greater autonomy for Hong Kong - or for full independence - were elected.
The new lawmakers are required to recite a short oath before they can officially take their seats as part of Hong Kong's governing body. It includes the words "Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China" multiple times. Many had been key figures in the pro-democracy protests of 2014.
Most of the other 70 new MPs were sworn in without incident. The new lawmakers are required to recite a short oath before they can officially take their seats, which includes the words "Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China" multiple times.
But Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-ching began their oath by swearing allegiance to a "Hong Kong nation".But Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-ching began their oath by swearing allegiance to a "Hong Kong nation".
They used profanities and pronounced China as "Shina", a now derogatory pronunciation used when the Japanese occupied the territory.They used profanities and pronounced China as "Shina", a now derogatory pronunciation used when the Japanese occupied the territory.
Mr Chen said their votes were not valid, as he had reason to "doubt whether you understand your duties as lawmakers".Mr Chen said their votes were not valid, as he had reason to "doubt whether you understand your duties as lawmakers".
Another incoming lawmaker, Nathan Law, one of the student leaders of the 2014 pro-democracy protests, also altered the oath, changing the tone of "China" to make it sound like a question. Another incoming lawmaker, Nathan Law, one of the student leaders of the 2014 protests, also altered the oath, changing the tone of "China" to make it sound like a question.
He then refused to return to his seat, asking why the other oaths had been rejected.He then refused to return to his seat, asking why the other oaths had been rejected.
Mr Chen then called for a break of the session.Mr Chen then called for a break of the session.
Most of the other 70 new MPs were sworn in without incident, though some staged other protests.
Rising localist movementRising localist movement
Hong Kong, a former British colony, became a special administrative region of China in 1997. It is governed under the principle of "one country, two systems" enjoying a high degree of autonomy.Hong Kong, a former British colony, became a special administrative region of China in 1997. It is governed under the principle of "one country, two systems" enjoying a high degree of autonomy.
But its leader is still chosen by a Beijing-backed committee.But its leader is still chosen by a Beijing-backed committee.
In 2014, demonstrators occupied major parts of the city for months demanding universal suffrage - but ultimately won no concessions.In 2014, demonstrators occupied major parts of the city for months demanding universal suffrage - but ultimately won no concessions.
Since then, a small number of people have been advocating for independence for Hong Kong. Referred to as localists they reject what they perceive to be the growing influence of Beijing on Hong Kong.Since then, a small number of people have been advocating for independence for Hong Kong. Referred to as localists they reject what they perceive to be the growing influence of Beijing on Hong Kong.