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Hong Kong lawmakers reject Beijing poll plan Hong Kong lawmakers reject Beijing poll plan
(about 3 hours later)
Legislators in Hong Kong have rejected a controversial Beijing-backed election reform package that sparked mass protests last year.Legislators in Hong Kong have rejected a controversial Beijing-backed election reform package that sparked mass protests last year.
The reforms were to give Hong Kong the right to vote for its leader for the first time in 2017. The reforms would have given Hong Kong voters the right to choose their leader for the first time in 2017.
But candidates would be vetted by a pro-Beijing committee that pro-democracy activists labelled "fake democracy". But candidates would be vetted by a pro-Beijing committee and pro-democracy activists said the reforms only offered "fake democracy".
China said its reforms would remain in force and were legal despite the vote. Beijing said it would not change its position on democratic reforms.
Some in Hong Kong had hoped that if the proposals were rejected, China would be forced to offer more far-reaching reforms.Some in Hong Kong had hoped that if the proposals were rejected, China would be forced to offer more far-reaching reforms.
'Legal force unquestionable' Voting confusion
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. The Chinese government issued a ruling on 31 August last year, saying that Hong Kong's leader could be chosen by direct elections by 2017.
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. However, the ruling also said that only those nominated by a pro-Beijing committee could stand for election.
Pro-Beijing lawmakers walked out of the council chamber moments before the vote was to take place. Beijing's decision sparked protests that drew crowds of more than 100,000 people to the streets.
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 Beijing-backed electoral reforms had to be approved by Hong Kong's legislature before they could be enacted - but pro-democracy lawmakers, who have enough seats to veto the move, voted down the reform package.
Without approval from Hong Kong lawmakers, the territory's next chief executive will be selected, as before, by a 1,200-member committee currently stacked with Beijing loyalists.
Moments before the vote took place, pro-Beijing lawmakers, who were expected to support the package, walked out of the council chamber.
This led to confusion ahead of the vote, with some lawmakers unsure as to why others had walked out.
The 37 remaining lawmakers voted and the motion was rejected with 28 opposing it and eight supporting it. It needed at least 47 votes to pass.
Pro-Beijing lawmakers later blamed miscommunication for the walk-out, after their request for a 15-minute suspension was rejected by the Speaker.
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.
One of them, Regina Ip of the New People's Party, looked stunned after failing to vote. She said the collective action was unplanned. They had suddenly decided to wait for Lau Wong-fat, an elderly lawmaker who was said to be ill.One of them, Regina Ip of the New People's Party, looked stunned after failing to vote. She said the collective action was unplanned. They had suddenly decided to wait for Lau Wong-fat, an elderly lawmaker who was said to be ill.
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.
Tardy lawmaker draws online quipsTardy lawmaker draws online quips
Maggoty apples and Hamlet: How Hong Kong's passionate debate unfoldedMaggoty apples and Hamlet: How Hong Kong's passionate debate unfolded
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."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."
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".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 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".
Year of tense politics
Immediately ahead of the vote there was confusion, with some lawmakers unsure as to why others had walked out.
Pro-Beijing lawmakers later blamed miscommunication after their request for a 15-minute suspension was rejected by the Speaker.
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 occupied 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.