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“Purely Patriotic” Parliament sworn in by Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, the “purely patriotic” parliament was sworn in. The 90 newly elected MPs took their oath in the plenary chamber under the Chinese national coat of arms. The traditional insignia of the city used to hang there. After the Chinese parliament announced far-reaching changes to the electoral system in Hong Kong a year ago, many members of the opposition decided not to run, left the city or were imprisoned. Prime Minister Carrie Lam once again rejected allegations by Western states and organizations that the freedom of the press in the Chinese Special Administrative Region was threatened. You simply could not accept such claims, she said with a view to the procedure at the news portal Stand News. The release of the arrested employees, demanded by several countries, violates the laws of the former British colony. And nothing is more important than the rule of law. Hong Kong returned under Chinese rule in 1997, with the promise that wide-ranging individual rights – including a free press – would be protected. However, human rights groups and some Western governments believe that freedoms have been undermined.
90 MPs took their oath under the Chinese national coat of arms. The traditional insignia of the city used to hang there.