In a much awaited judgement, Hong Kong's high court on Tuesday ruled that the two pro-independence lawmakers are not qualified to take the office. The verdict follows last week's landmark ruling by China's top legislative body disqualifying both lawmakers from assuming office.

"By seeking to make a mockery of China... in a derogatory and humiliating manner, it is objectively plain that Mr Leung and Ms Yau refused to pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as an inalienable part of (China)," Judge Thomas Au said in judgement.

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Au also stated in summary of the 58-page judgement that he would have delivered the same verdict, with or without the interpretation of Hong Kong's mini constitution by China's parliament last week.

Responding to the judgement, the lawmaker pair - Yau Wai-ching and Sixtus Leung - said that their move to appeal has turned out to be a 'heavy decision' and that they might end up being bankrupt.

Yau questioned the creditability of the verdict by claiming that the court was bullied by the government.

"I think the government used so many ways to give pressure to the court. Under such pressure, it is expected that the court may make such a judgment," Yau said.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, who had filed the lawsuit against the two lawmakers, told reporters that he welcomed the judgment and the government would soon implement the verdict.   

The semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong has been on a boil since the oath taking ceremony controversy on Oct. 12. The controversy happened after Yau, 30, and Leung, 25, allegedly used certain derogatory terms during their oath taking to instigate the feelings of Chinese people.

The two young lawmakers also unfurled anti-Chinese banners during the ceremony to convey their opposition against China's sovereign control over the semi-autonomous city. The actions were immediately condemned by the officials and their oath was overruled as "illegal."

The controversy soon snow bowled into street protest, with thousands joining the protest rally in support of the two pro-independent law makers. The protest revived the pro-democracy wave that had swept across Hong Kong city in 2014.

Meanwhile, Chinese president Xi Jinping vowed in a state address this week that China would not allow any group to split the country, giving a stern message to pro-democracy protestors.     

TagsHong Kong, Hong Kong pro-democracy movement, Hong Kong and China, Yau Wai-Ching, Sixtus Leung