HK court’s ruling draws flak

Standing their ground: Protesters holding up their hands to symbolise pro-democracy demonstrators’ five demands during a demonstration in the financial district in Hong Kong. — AP

HONG KONG: A ruling by the High Court in Hong Kong related to the Emergency Regulations Ordinance and the anti-mask law has drawn severe criticism from central authorities and legal professionals who expressed concern that such a ruling challenges the authority of the country’s top legislature and will have a serious negative social and political impact.

The Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) – the country’s top legislature – as well as the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region all voiced deep concerns on Tuesday over the ruling.