Pro-Chinese members of Hong Kong’s legislature attempted to foil a revolt by pro-democracy members by walking out of the electoral reform debate before the vote, seemingly in the hope the proceedings would be halted.<br /><br /> But the vote went ahead, and the reforms, which would have given Hong Kong’s five million people the chance to directly elect their leader, but from a Beijing-approved list of three, were rejected.<br /><br /> “I am pained and disappointed that the political reform plan has been vetoed. I cannot predict when Hong Kong’s democratic development can resume,” said the Legislative Council’s Chief Secretary Carrie Lam.<br /><br /> Pro-democracy activists celebrated their famous victory in the chamber. Their opposition to the Beijing-proposed reforms has already seen mass street protests. Beijing refused to accept a single amendment to the package.<br /><br /> “Hong Kong people would not want to take on this fake democratic package. We do not want our votes to be used to legitimise a pre-vetting system,” sa
