Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor takes to the podium to administer oath to the newly elected members of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, Jan 3, 2020. (CALVIN NG/ CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – The newly-elected lawmakers of Hong Kong were sworn in at a ceremony on Monday, marking the start of the seventh-term Legislative Council's journey.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor administered the oaths to the incoming lawmakers.

Ninety lawmakers-elect – including 56 new faces – were elected Dec 19, 2021 under the city’s revamped electoral system in December's poll for a four-year term.

The oath-taking ceremony began at the Chamber of the Legislative Council Complex at 11:00 am.

IN PICTURES: Sworn in 

One by one, the lawmakers took an oath to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and swear allegiance to the HKSAR after jointly singing the Chinese national anthem together with Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

The seventh-term LegCo began its four-year term of office on Saturday. The new LegCo is expected to hold its first session on Jan 12

It is the first time for the lawmakers to take an oath in front of the national emblem in the history of the HKSAR LegCo.

According to the National Flag and National Emblem (Amendment) Ordinance of the HKSAR that came into effect in October 2021, the national flag and emblem must be displayed at the oath-taking ceremonies of the chief executive, principal officials, the judiciary, the Executive Council, the LegCo, and the District Council.

The taking of the oath is legally binding. The oath-takers must sincerely believe in and strictly abide by the relevant oath prescribed by law. An oath-taker who makes a false oath or who, after taking the oath, engages in conduct in breach of the oath, shall bear legal responsibility in accordance with the law.

READ MORE: Success of LegCo election will be decided by new lawmakers’ performance

A list of LegCo members, whose oaths are determined as valid, will be published after the oath-taking ceremony.

Starry Lee Wai-king takes her oath in front of Chief Executive Carrie Lam. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

The seventh-term LegCo began its four-year term of office on Saturday. The new LegCo is expected to hold its first session on Jan 12.

During the Dec 19 election, total 153 candidates had contended for 90 seats, including 20 from geographical constituencies, 30 from functional constituencies, and 40 from the Election Committee constituency.

With inputs from Xinhua