Moderates on both sides of political divide gripped by pessimism

Political moderates met the news from Beijing with stony expressions and in some cases tears, when they learned that the 2017 chief executive election would be tightly controlled by Beijing.

Moderate pan-democrats lined up to criticise Beijing's decision and state that they would vote against it, casting severe doubt on the government's ability to win the two-thirds majority a reform package will need in the Legislative Council.

Civic Party lawmaker Ronny Tong Ka-wah cried as he reacted on a live Cable TV programme.

"It is the darkest day in the road for democracy," he said. "I am disheartened … I don't see a future for moderates in Hong Kong politics."

A moderate reform plan he drew up - under which the public would not be allowed to nominate chief executive candidates - received a cool response from his allies.

The barrister said he would think carefully about the next step in his political career after a decision from Beijing that was "more undemocratic than I could imagine".