HONG KONG — Intensifying a monthslong clampdown on dissent, Hong Kong unseated four pro-democracy lawmakers on Wednesday after Beijing gave sweeping new powers to the local authorities to quash the political opposition.

       The move has the potential to further reshape the city’s political landscape, which has been upended in the months since China imposed a national security law on Hong Kong. Since then, the authorities have arrested pro-democracy leaders and activists as they resolved to bring Hong Kong to heel and put an end to the protests that engulfed the semiautonomous Chinese territory much of last year.

       The four lawmakers who were removed from office — Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki, Kenneth Leung and Alvin Yeung — had previously been barred from running for re-election this year. Hong Kong’s pro-democracy lawmakers had said this week that they would all resign if Beijing disqualified any members of their group.

       Such a resignation en masse could cast the local legislature into disarray, effectively silencing remaining voices in opposition to the Beijing-backed government. It would hobble democracy supporters in the legislature, the main forum for opposition after street demonstrations were banned under social distancing requirements.

       Along with the national security law, the new powers represent the rapid expansion of Beijing’s influence over the territory. The Hong Kong government will now have the ability to remove lawmakers directly for failure to meet loyalty requirements, without going through the courts.

       The decision Wednesday by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislative body, said that lawmakers who support Hong Kong independence, refuse to recognize the country’s sovereignty over the city, seek out foreign or external forces to interfere with domestic affairs, or engage in acts that endanger national security would immediately face disqualification.

       Lawmakers who fail to meet the statutory requirements for upholding the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s local constitution, and swearing “allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China” would also be ousted, it added.

       The Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong, Beijing’s top emissary in the city, said the rules would ensure that politicians “fulfill their constitutional responsibility of loyalty to the country.”

       “Many people will consider today a dark day. It is hard for me to say it isn’t,” said Kwok Ka-ki, one of the lawmakers who was removed. “As long as our resolve to fight for freedom, equality and justice remains unchanged, one day we will see the return of the core values we cherish.”

       In 2016 and 2017, Hong Kong removed six pro-democracy lawmakers who had conducted forms of protest while taking their oaths of office. But those moves had required both local court rulings and a legal review by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The new rules give the Hong Kong government far greater leeway in removing opposition lawmakers.

       The fate of the legislature has been in question since Hong Kong postponed September elections for a full year.

       In its decision, the government cited the risk of infection amid the coronavirus pandemic. But critics said that the authorities feared an electoral defeat of the pro-Beijing camp, especially after a wave of pro-democracy candidates unseated longtime establishment officials in a landslide victory during district elections last year.

       In July, the Hong Kong authorities barred the four lawmakers from seeking re-election, accusing them of saying they would indiscriminately vote down legislative proposals.

       Despite the disqualifications, they were allowed to remain in office to serve out their term, which had been extended for a year by Beijing after the postponement of the election.

       In the months since, the establishment lawmakers had increasingly complained about filibustering tactics used by the opposition camp, even calling for prosecutions under the national security law.

       Earlier this month, the police arrested eight pro-democracy lawmakers over a heated meeting in May, when there were disputes over control of a key committee. No establishment lawmakers were arrested; the government blocked a private prosecution against one of them who dragged an opposition lawmaker to the ground.

       One of the ousted lawmakers, Dennis Kwok, controlled that committee and had triggered widespread criticism from Hong Kong and Beijing officials for delaying tactics, including slowing the consideration of certain bills. Despite the disqualification, he said he had no regrets over his actions.

       “If observing due process, protecting systems and functions, and fighting for democracy and human rights would lead to the consequences of being disqualified, it would be my honor,” he said.