Hong Kong rejects protest-sparking electoral reform backed by Beijing

A pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmaker argues against a Beijing-backed electoral reform bill

(Image credit: PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

last updated 18 June 2015

On Thursday, Hong Kong's legislature voted down an electoral reform package backed by Beijing and the city-state's administration, but opposed by Hong Kong pro-democracy advocates. Two-thirds of the 70-member legislature had to approve the changes, but it was rejected, 28 to 8 with one abstention. Only 37 lawmakers were present because moments before the vote, a large number of pro-Beijing legislators abruptly got up and left the chamber, Reuters reports.

China said in 2007 that it would allow Hong Kong to elect its own chief executive by popular vote, rather than by the pro-Beijing selection committee that does it currently. But in 2014, the central government narrowed that promise, proposing that Hong Kong voters could only choose between three candidates vetted by Beijing. Those changes, rejected Thursday, sparked last year's so-called umbrella protests.

"Let us show the world that we are not fools," said lawmaker Claudia Mo during the televised debate on the bill. "If you want to be true to the words democracy and universal suffrage, ladies and gentlemen, all Hong Kongers, we have no option but to vote against it."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.