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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 that sparked mass protests last year.
The reforms would have given China the right to vet candidates in the election of the territory's leader. The reforms were to give Hong Kong the right to vote for its leader for the first time in 2017.
The divisive plan sparked mass protests with pro-democracy activists labelling it "fake democracy". But candidates would be vetted by a pro-Beijing committee that pro-democracy activists labelled "fake democracy".
China said it was "unwilling to see" the result and reform was still the best hope for prosperity. China said its reforms would remain in force and were legal despite the vote.
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. Some in Hong Kong had hoped that if the proposals were rejected, China would be forced to offer more far-reaching reforms.
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. 'Legal force unquestionable'
Beijing's decision on 31 August last year to control the candidates for the next leadership election sparked protests that drew crowds of more than 100,000 people to the streets.
Thursday's vote means Hong Kong's next chief executive could be selected, as before, by a 1,200-member committee currently stacked with Beijing loyalists.
Pro-Beijing lawmakers walked out of the council chamber moments before the vote was to take place.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.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
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." A statement from China's legislature released to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, said: "Although the universal suffrage motion was not passed, the direction towards universal suffrage and the legal principles laid down must continue to be upheld in future efforts."
He told reporters voting reform was the best hope for the continued prosperity of the semi-autonomous Chinese territory. It said the 31 August decision will "continue to serve as the constitutional ground for Hong Kong in the future" and "its legal force is unquestionable".
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". Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung said 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. Year of tense politics
"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." Immediately ahead of the vote there was confusion, with some lawmakers unsure as to why others had walked out.
Some of the pro-Beijing lawmakers later blamed miscommunication after their request for a 15-minute suspension was rejected by the Speaker. 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.
"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 suffrage
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 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.