Beijing ruling bars Hong Kong lawmakers from taking office

Beijing has intervened in Hong Kong politics to block two elected lawmakers from taking office.

Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-ching, who are pro-independence, have refused to pledge allegiance to Beijing when being sworn in.

Beijing has now interpreted a section of Hong Kong law to mean any official who does not swear the oath properly cannot take office, said state media.

The move comes after weeks of chaos in the Hong Kong legislature.