INTERNATIONAL: Lawmakers in Hong Kong's new "patriots only" legislature were sworn in on Monday, 3 January, in a ceremony overseen by Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam.

The 90 newly elected lawmakers have taken their oaths in the chamber under China's national emblem, where the city's traditional insignia was once affixed. The replacement is in line with the National Flag and National Emblem Ordinance, which mandated its display for the swearing-in of officials.

Most lawmakers took their oaths in Cantonese, except Tommy Cheung, who made his pledge in English, and three lawmakers who spoke in mandarin.

Since China's parliament has announced the sweeping changes to Hong Kong's electoral system in early 2021, including reducing the number of directly elected seats, many opposition figures have declined to run, left the city, or have been jailed.