HONG KONG — Two newly elected lawmakers who support Hong Kong independence have been repeatedly blocked from taking their oaths in the Legislative Council after they misread the clause that requires councilors to pledge allegiance to China.


Now the Hong Kong government wants to stop Yau Wai-ching and Sixtus Leung from joining parliament, according to Time.


Chief Executive CY Leung even launched a judicial review to see if the Youngspiration pair is allowed to retake their oaths; so much for separation of powers.


And now China’s highest rubber stamp body — the National People’s Congress Standing Committee — has intervened directly by issuing an interpretation of Hong Kong’s Basic Law to disqualify the legislators permanently.


China effectively barred Yau and Leung from the legislature, saying that they could not be sworn in again, according to the AFP.


An oath that did not conform to Hong Kong’s law “should be determined to be invalid, and cannot be retaken” the National People’s Congress ruled on Monday.