Beijing Intervention Won't Stop Our Fight: Pan-dems

Defiant pro-democracy lawmakers said on Tuesday that Beijing's "blatant intervention" in Legco affairs won't make them alter course, and what they are doing is responding to the demands of the public.

On Monday, the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) condemned pro-democracy legislators for dragging out council proceedings to the extent that a chair of the House Committee has not been elected since Legco reopened in October after the summer break.

The HKMAO went as far as claiming that pro-democracy legislators may have breached their oaths of office and could be guilty of misconduct in public office.

The lawmakers in turn accused Beijing of interfering in local affairs and damaging the "One Country, Two Systems" principle.

They added that the HKMAO's warnings would not affect the way they conduct themselves in the legislature.

"I'm sure that the Hong Kong people understand that the legislators from the democratic camp are doing their very best to answer and to respond to people's demands," said convenor Tanya Chan.

"What we are doing complies with Hong Kong law as well as the Basic Law," the Civic Party legislator added.

"So I can't see that there's any possible way that we are not going to act in the same direction. So, what we need is people's support. Please do support us and we will fight this battle, even though it is an uphill battle."