The Chinese government issued a ruling on Aug 31,2014, saying that Hong Kong's leader could be chosen by direct elections by 2017
However, the ruling also said that only those nominated by a pro-Beijing committee could stand for election.
Beijing's decision sparked protests that drew crowds of more than 100,000 people to the streets.
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
Note
Honk Kong,the former British colony became a special administrative region of China in 1997, when Britain's 99-year lease of the New Territories, north of Hong Kong island, expired.
Hong Kong is governed under the principle of "one country, two systems", under which China has agreed to give the region a high degree of autonomy and to preserve its economic and social systems for 50 years from the date of the handover.
China controls Hong Kong's foreign and defence policies, but the territory has its own currency and customs status.
Currently, half the territory's legislature is not directly elected, but chosen by professional and corporate groups that favour Beijing loyalists.The territory's chief executive is indirectly elected by an electoral college effectively controlled by Beijing.
Hong Kong's constitution, the Basic Law, provides for the development of democratic processes.
However, the ruling also said that only those nominated by a pro-Beijing committee could stand for election.
Beijing's decision sparked protests that drew crowds of more than 100,000 people to the streets.
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
Note
Honk Kong,the former British colony became a special administrative region of China in 1997, when Britain's 99-year lease of the New Territories, north of Hong Kong island, expired.
Hong Kong is governed under the principle of "one country, two systems", under which China has agreed to give the region a high degree of autonomy and to preserve its economic and social systems for 50 years from the date of the handover.
China controls Hong Kong's foreign and defence policies, but the territory has its own currency and customs status.
Currently, half the territory's legislature is not directly elected, but chosen by professional and corporate groups that favour Beijing loyalists.The territory's chief executive is indirectly elected by an electoral college effectively controlled by Beijing.
Hong Kong's constitution, the Basic Law, provides for the development of democratic processes.
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