China says resignation of Hong Kong opposition MPs ‘a farce’

China says the resignation of some Hong Kong opposition legislators is "a farce" and an "open challenge" to Beijing's authority and the Basic Law, the semi-autonomous city's mini-constitution.

China's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office made the remarks on Thursday, after 15 opposition lawmakers announced their resignation in solidarity with four fellow members who had been disqualified a day earlier.

According to Press TV, the office said the resignations showed the opposition members' "stance of stubborn resistance" against the Chinese central government.

"If these lawmakers hope to make use of their resignation to provoke radical opposition and beg for foreign interference, they have miscalculated," an unnamed spokesperson said.

On Wednesday, Hong Kong disqualified four opposition lawmakers under a resolution authorizing the city to expel legislators deemed dangerous to national security.

Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu, Kwok Ka-ki, Kenneth Leung, and Dennis Kwok were disqualified from continuing in their capacity as city legislators, shortly after China’s parliament allowed authorities to unseat those lawmakers who seek secession or invite foreign interference.

The resolution allows authorities to bypass the court system to unseat lawmakers.

Later in the day, the 15 opposition lawmakers announced they would resign in solidarity with the four.

They were absent in the assembly on Thursday.

The city's 70-seat legislature has 21 opposition members.

ME