Scuffles broke out this morning between pro-democracy and pro-government legislators in Hong Kong, over the leadership of a key committee which could pave the way for a debate on a controversial China national anthem bill.
In chaotic scenes, pro-democracy legislators charged at security guards surrounding pro-establishment lawmaker Chan Kin-Por, who had taken the chairman's seat in the meeting against procedural objections by the opposition.
Guards hauled several legislators out of the chamber, some kicking and shouting. Some tried leaping over the guards from benchtops to take back the chairman’s seat only to be forced back.
They chanted "foul play" and held a placard reading "CCP (China Communist Party) tramples HK legislature."
Beijing has accused Hong Kong’s pro-democracy lawmakers of "malicious" filibustering to prevent some proposed bills from going to a final vote, effectively paralysing the legislature.
It was the second time in 10 days that have legislators pushed and shoved each other over the procedures of electing a chairperson. Last May, scuffles broke out in the legislature over a proposed extradition law which sparked often-violent protests and was later scrapped.
The house committee's role is to scrutinise bills before a second reading in the legislative council, and has built up a backlog after failing to elect a chairperson since late last year.
The backlog includes one bill that would criminalise abuse of China's national anthem, which is expected to be given a second reading on 27 May despite the procedural chaos.
Protesters have been calling on social media for city-wide demonstrations on that day.
Social distancing amid the pandemic has largely put a brake on protests since January, but demonstrations are expected to resume later this year with the outbreak coming under control.
