Explainer: Behind the “security wall” photo taken in the Hong Kong Legislative Council
Who are they? Where and when is this taken?
On Monday, a scuffle broke out between the pro-Beijing and pro-democracy camps in the Hong Kong Legislative Council hall; security guards formed a wall protecting the pro-Beijing legislator Chan Kin-por, who was presiding over an election for the next chairperson of the House committee.
What’s the controversy?
The House chairpersonship has been vacant due to the pro-democracy camp’s filibustering. Beijing attacked pro-democracy legislator Dennis Kwok, who previously chaired the election, for deliberately stalling the election. The pro-Beijing camp invoked a controversial rule to replace Kwok with the pro-Beijing legislator in the photo. The pro-democracy camp protested against the procedure.
What happened after this photo?
Security guards evicted most of the democrats in a chaotic scene. The pro-Beijing lawmaker Starry Lee won the House Committee chairpersonship when no democrats voted.
Why is the House committee chairpersonship important?
The House Committee serves a critical function to scrutinize bills introduced into the Legislative Council. Holding the committee leadership paves the way for the pro-Beijing camp to pass the controversial national anthem law.
