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Hong Kong lawmakers reject Beijing poll plan Hong Kong lawmakers reject Beijing poll plan
(about 2 hours later)
Legislators in Hong Kong have rejected a controversial Beijing-backed election reform package after a session of impassioned and fiery debate.Legislators in Hong Kong have rejected a controversial Beijing-backed election reform package after a session of impassioned and fiery debate.
Pro-government lawmakers walked out of the council chamber moments before the vote was to take place.
The reforms would have given China the right to vet candidates in the election of the territory's leader.The reforms would have given China the right to vet candidates in the election of the territory's leader.
The divisive plan sparked mass protests with pro-democracy activists labelling it "fake democracy".The divisive plan sparked mass protests with pro-democracy activists labelling it "fake democracy".
After the pro-China legislators walked out of the chamber, the 37 lawmakers left voted and the motion was rejected with 28 opposing it and eight supporting it. It needed at least 47 votes to pass. China said it was "unwilling to see" the result and reform was still the best hope for prosperity.
The package would have granted all Hong Kong citizens the right to vote for their chief executive for the first time in 2017, but they would only be able to vote for candidates that had been vetted by a pro-Beijing committee.
It means Hong Kong's next chief executive will be selected, as before, by a 1,200-member committee, that is currently stacked with Beijing loyalists.It means Hong Kong's next chief executive will be selected, as before, by a 1,200-member committee, that is currently stacked with Beijing loyalists.
Pro-Beijing lawmakers walked out of the council chamber moments before the vote was to take place.
The 37 lawmakers left voted and the motion was rejected with 28 opposing it and eight supporting it. It needed at least 47 votes to pass.
How it all unravelled for pro-Beijing side: Juliana Liu, BBC News, Hong KongHow it all unravelled for pro-Beijing side: Juliana Liu, BBC News, Hong Kong
The outcome was expected, but the circumstances surprisingly dramatic.The outcome was expected, but the circumstances surprisingly dramatic.
When government officials gave their final speeches, it was hours ahead of schedule. Journalists scrambled to retake their seats in the main chamber at the Legislative Council.When government officials gave their final speeches, it was hours ahead of schedule. Journalists scrambled to retake their seats in the main chamber at the Legislative Council.
Then a bell rang, reminding lawmakers to gather to vote. The cavernous room echoed with tension. A voiced called out, asking to halt the proceedings with just minutes to spare. The head of the council declined. Pro-government legislators walked out in protest.Then a bell rang, reminding lawmakers to gather to vote. The cavernous room echoed with tension. A voiced called out, asking to halt the proceedings with just minutes to spare. The head of the council declined. Pro-government legislators walked out in protest.
As a result, the controversial government reform plan failed by a wide margin.As a result, the controversial government reform plan failed by a wide margin.
Maggoty apples and Hamlet: How Hong Kong's passionate debate unfoldedMaggoty apples and Hamlet: How Hong Kong's passionate debate unfolded
It was a confusing scene with some lawmakers unsure as to why others had walked out. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said: "That the chief executive of the Special Administrative Region's government should not be elected as such in 2017 is a result we are unwilling to see."
He told reporters voting reform was the best hope for the continued prosperity of the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung said that legislators had voted against the wishes of the majority of Hong Kong's people and he was "naturally disappointed".
Earlier, it was a confusing scene with some lawmakers unsure as to why others had walked out.
"We have no idea what happened with the rest of the group suddenly deciding to leave the chamber," said James Tien of the pro-government Liberal Party. "We decided to stay put and vote for the bill.""We have no idea what happened with the rest of the group suddenly deciding to leave the chamber," said James Tien of the pro-government Liberal Party. "We decided to stay put and vote for the bill."
Later, some of the pro-Beijing lawmakers blamed miscommunication after their request for a 15-minute suspension was rejected by the Speaker. Some of the pro-Beijing lawmakers later blamed miscommunication after their request for a 15-minute suspension was rejected by the Speaker.
Democratic Party lawmaker Emily Lau called the walkout "farcical", according to Reuters news agency.Democratic Party lawmaker Emily Lau called the walkout "farcical", according to Reuters news agency.
"Those people who were not present in the chamber were supposed to be assisting in running Hong Kong, but if you look at their farcical behaviour you can't help feel sorry for Hong Kong," she said."Those people who were not present in the chamber were supposed to be assisting in running Hong Kong, but if you look at their farcical behaviour you can't help feel sorry for Hong Kong," she said.
Universal suffrageUniversal suffrage
The package would have granted all Hong Kong citizens the right to vote for their chief executive for the first time in 2017, but they would only be able to vote for candidates that had been vetted by a pro-Beijing committee.
The bill's defeat comes after what has been a tense year of political debate in the former British colony that was handed over to Beijing in 1997.The bill's defeat comes after what has been a tense year of political debate in the former British colony that was handed over to Beijing in 1997.
In September last year, activists began occupying major parts of the city and demanding universal suffrage. Protests paralysed the city centre after clashes between police and activists saw tear gas deployed.In September last year, activists began occupying major parts of the city and demanding universal suffrage. Protests paralysed the city centre after clashes between police and activists saw tear gas deployed.
After more than two months and with no concessions from Chief Executive CY Leung, the protest camps were ultimately dismantled by police. After more than two months and with no concessions from CY Leung, the protest camps were ultimately dismantled by police.