Several pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong were dragged out of the debating chamber during a row over a bill that seeks to criminalise disrespect of the Chinese national anthem.
Legislators were arguing over the leadership of a key committee, which would affect the bill’s progress, according to the BBC.
One of the lawmakers who was carried out, Eddie Chu, told the BBC: ‘If Hong Kong was a democracy, we would not need to start scuffles like this. Unfortunately we are forced into this situation. I can foresee more fights within the chamber and outside the chamber.’
The report said the chaotic scenes highlighted the deep divisions in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China. It noted that while last year’s street protests died down during the pandemic, some demonstrations were expected to resume.
The controversial draft bill on the national anthem is being sought urgently by Beijing, which has accused the pro-democracy groupings of ‘malicious’ filibustering, effectively paralysing the legislature.
The BBC report noted that the clash in the legislative chamber ‘is another sign that China continues to tighten its grip on Hong Kong’.