Hong Kong was plunged into political turmoil on Monday after Beijing effectively ruled that two pro-Independence lawmakers are not allowed to take office.

The intervention is potentially the most far-reaching by Beijing since the 1997 handover of Hong Kong from the UK.

It has also fuelled fears over the future of the city’s semi-autonomous status, which is upheld under the ‘one country, two systems’ rule.

The ruling comes after protests in the city saw angry scenes on Sunday evening, when police used pepper spray on demonstrators and scuffles broke out.

The protests were held after China said it would interpret an article of the city’s mini-constitution which deals with an oath that MPs must swear. The oath involves lawmakers swearing allegiance to Hong Kong as part of the People’s Republic of China.

A top legislative panel in Beijing announced on Monday that individuals are barred from assuming office if they fail to "lawfully and validly" take their oaths.