China Loyalty Oath Drives 72% of Hong Kong Councilors From Seats
- Government didn’t say why a quarter of pledges were invalid
- Ceremonies are part of campaign to ensure only ‘patriots’ rule
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A loyalty pledge to China has pushed nearly three-fourths of Hong Kong’s largest group of directly elected officials out of office, as Beijing’s campaign for greater control of the city quashes political opposition.
Of the nearly 200 district councilors who took the new oath 49 were deemed to have made invalid pledges, according to government statements on the ceremonies held between Sept. 10 and Oct. 8. None of the councilors were from pro-government groups.