Two pro-democracy lawmakers removed from Hong Kong Legislative Council

Two pro-democracy lawmakers were removed from Hong Kong's Legislative Council on Thursday where lawmakers were debating a bill that would make disrespect of China's national anthem a criminal offence.

Tensions have ramped up in the global financial centre after Beijing proposed national security legislation that has stoked concerns over freedoms in the Chinese-ruled city.

(Reporting By Clare Jim and Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)