Hong Kong, 21 Oct (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong SAR government issued a statement on 21 October saying that of the fourth group of district councillors who took the oath on October 8, 16 took an invalid oath.
In accordance with the requirements of the Public Office (Candidacy and Appointment) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2021, the HKSAR Government held an oath-taking ceremony for district councillors of Tsuen Wan District Council, Tuen Mun District Council, Yuen Long District Council, Kwai Tsing District Council and Outlying Islands District Council at the North Point Community Hall on 8 October. On the same day, the district councillors attending the ceremony swore one by one to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, and the Secretary for Home Affairs of the SAR Government, Xu Yingwei, took the oath as the oath-taker authorized by the Chief Executive.
The HKSAR government said that the oath taker had determined on October 8 that of the 68 district councillors who took the oath that day, 51 were valid. In view of the doubts raised by the Oath Taker regarding the validity of the oaths taken by the remaining 17 District Councillors, the Oath Takers have written to the District Councillors concerned on the same day requesting additional information. Among them, 1 district councillor has resigned on the 11th.
After considering the written replies of the relevant district councillors and all relevant materials, the oath taker determined that the oath of 16 district councillors was invalidated in accordance with the principles laid down by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on the interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and relevant legal provisions.
The HKSAR Government stated that the oath is legally binding and that the oath taker must be faithful and strictly abide by the statutory oath. The oath taker shall be legally liable in accordance with the law if he or she takes a false oath or engages in a violation of the oath after taking the oath. The Oaths and Declarations Ordinance provides that if any person is duly invited to take an oath required by the relevant legislation and refuses or neglects to take such oath, he or she must leave office if he or she has taken office.
According to the interpretation of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, the oath taker shall have the responsibility to ensure that the oath is taken lawfully, and the oath that complies with the interpretation and the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be determined as a valid oath;
Source: Xinhua News Agency