Newly unveiled electoral reform proposals from Hong Kong’s government continues to allow the screening of candidates for the 2017 elections by Beijing, going against the central demand of pro-democracy activists.
Hong Kong's leader Leung Chun-ying said that there was “no room for any compromise” and that “if this proposal is vetoed, it could be several years before the next opportunity.”
Putting forward the proposals, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's chief secretary, said that they "are in strict compliance with the Basic Law [Hong Kong's constitution] and the relevant decisions of [China's] standing committee of the National People's Congress."
"At the same time they fully take into account the views expressed by various sectors of the community," said Ms Lam.
As she made the announcement, several democratic lawmakers walked out in protest. Alan Leong from the Civic Party said, "We will launch a campaign to oppose the proposal and we will ask the Hong Kong public to continue to seek true universal suffrage."
Over 100 protestors also gathered outside the legislature, to demonstrate against the proposals.
Ms Lam though, was unworried, telling reporters, "We believe that after announcing the specific proposals there will be political parties and organizations and groups which may resort to more aggressive protests, but we don't think that such a large scale occupation will happen again.”