The rubber-stamp parliament of the Chinese Communist party has just intervened to disqualify two democratically elected legislators in the former British colony of Hong Kong. The grounds: oaths of allegiance to China that were insufficiently “solemn” or “sincere”. This decision undermines the rule of law and judicial independence that form the foundation of Hong Kong’s prosperity.

It is also likely to backfire. By reacting so harshly to the young representatives of a growing independence movement, the Chinese government has almost certainly helped it recruit more people to its ranks.

Beijing has the right to interpret the Basic Law that went into effect in 1997 when the UK handed Hong Kong to China, but this is only the fifth occasion it has done so. The most troubling aspect of this latest ruling is the suggestion that legislators in the territory could henceforth be held criminally liable for advocating self-determination or for acting in contravention of their oath of allegiance.