AKIPRESS.COM - 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 taking their oaths.

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

The move comes after weeks of chaos in the Hong Kong legislature. There were also protests, and some scuffles, in Hong Kong on Sunday night.

China is acting within its legal rights, but many in Hong Kong accuse Beijing of ruling by decree.

The interpretation marks its most far-reaching intervention in Hong Kong since handover in 1997.

The interpretation, carried by state news agency Xinhua, states that lawmakers taking their oaths must do so "sincerely and solemnly".

They must "accurately, completely and solemnly" read out the portion of the oath that swears allegiance to Beijing. Failure to do so, or a refusal to read the oath, would disqualify the lawmaker from taking office.

It does not specifically name any lawmakers.

Mr Leung and Ms Yau have attempted to take their oaths several times, but their oaths were invalidated by the legislature.

Their attempts include using a variation of a derogatory word for China, and displaying a pro-independence banner.