Days numbered for filibustering Hong Kong pan-democrats as pro-Beijing camp set to table 24 proposals

Most controversial and powerful one would lower quorum requirement from 35 to 20 for aspects of weekly meetings

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Members of the Legislative Council in Tamar. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 8:00pm, 3 Dec 2017Updated: 4:23pm, 4 Dec 2017

The days of Hong Kong pan-democrats dragging out legislative meetings are numbered as the pro-Beijing camp is set to move 24 proposals on Wednesday to amend the rulebook to restrict such tactics.

The pro-establishment camp expressed confidence it would gain passage in January, despite questions whether one of its most powerful proposals was consistent with the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.

The power wielded by pan-democratic lawmakers to block the impending changes was significantly weakened after a court removed six pro-democracy members for improperly taking their oaths of office.

The Legislative Council comprises 70 members. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

That has opened a window of opportunity for pro-establishment legislators to change procedural rules before by-elections to fill four of the vacant seats on March 11. Pan-democrats are expected to win back some of the seats.

The pro-Beijing camp’s 24 proposals would effectively curb their opponents’ delaying tactics, which include repeatedly calling for quorum counts, making lengthy speeches and tabling stacks of amendments.