Here Judge Thomas Au Hing-cheung in fact pointed out, straight from the shoulder, the nature of the Leung-Yau pair's law-breaking oath-taking, that is, they did not at all acknowledge "one country two systems" and the importance of "one country" being above "two systems". Their decline to take their oaths as required by the law in fact was to deny "one country" and push forward "independence for Hong Kong". Since Leung and Yau refuse to acknowledge "one country", then for what do they still want to become members of the Legislative Council (Legco) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China? Is it possible that seats in the Legco of the Hong Kong SAR of China could ever be taken by such scums who do not even recognise their own nation?
What is more significant is that the interpretation of the Basic Law by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the ruling of SAR High Court have set specific rules and a court case to be followed from now on when similar problems are to be deal with. Oath-taking by any public officer must be conducted strictly in accordance with the law, otherwise the court may rule his or her oath invalid and disqualify him or her. In the SAR in future, incidents of declining to take oaths in accordance with the law similar to the case of Leung and Yau are very likely to happen again. Pro-Hong Kong independence elements certainly will attempt to sneak into the establishment, into the governance structure by making use of channels such as elections in more cunning ways. Previous laws and court cases could hardly deal with them. But now, with the NPC Standing Committee's interpretation of the Basic Law and the High Court ruling, there no longer exist so-called "grey areas" as "loopholes" have been closed. As such, there is no chance for pro-Hong Kong independence elements to make use of to get what they want by trickery.
What is more worthy to rejoice is that the NPC Standing Committee's interpretation of the Basic Law and the SAR High Court's ruling have not only solved the problem of the Leung-Yau pair's law-breaking oath-taking, cleared up the chaotic situation that jeopardises the Legco's operation and effectively narrowed the room for manoeuvre for "Hong Kong independence" activities, but also further clarified certain cardinal principles and ideas in Hong Kong society: "one country two systems" and the Basic Law are fundamental for the SAR to "settle down and get on with its pursuit". All political plots attempting to resist the Central Government and charge the constitutional system do damages to Hong Kong and to the rule of law and are harmful to prosperity and stability, which will come to no good end. From now on, whenever there happens such activity, all Hong Kong people must firmly stand on the side of safeguarding national dignity and the SAR's interests to strike back and resist against all words and deeds attempting to split the nation and make trouble in Hong Kong, being fully aware where their loyalty belongs and able to tell the right from the wrong - just like what they have done this time to oppose any insult on the nation, support the NPC Standing Committee's interpretation of the Basic Law and fight against "independence for Hong Kong".
The Central Government's determination to implement "one country two systems" won't change, but the SAR must make sure "one country two systems" is followed out without any deformation and distortion. Now the trouble-making Leung-Yao duo is given due punishment, and justice and righteousness are upheld. All Hong Kong people must cherish even more such a great situation today that is hard-won to safeguard national sovereignty and security and staunchly resist against "independence for Hong Kong". (The End)
16 November 2016
