‘It is not what we like to see’ – China’s government reacts to Hong Kong’s rejection of political reform plan

Beijing says it remains committed to universal suffrage in Hong Kong, despite today’s rejection of a political reform plan by the city’s legislature this afternoon.

A proposal that would have allowed Hongkongers to elect their leader in 2017 – but only under a strict framework set by Beijing – was voted down by 28 votes to 8 in the Legislative Council.

This afternoon, a spokesman for the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office  said: “Such a result is a departure from the mainstream public opinion of Hong Kong. It is also not what the central government likes to see.”

The spokesman criticised the pan-democrats and said they should be held responsible for denying Hong Kong people the chance to elect their leader. The camp’s 27 lawmakers all voted against the reform plan, while many pro-establishment lawmakers missed the vote after walking out in a failed attempt to delay the vote.

“The central government sincerely hopes the various sectors of Hong Kong could unite under the leadership of the chief executive and the SAR government, and focus on developing the economy, improving people’s livelihoods, maintaining social harmony and maintaining Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability,” the spokesman added.

Separately, a spokesman for the central government’s liaison office expressed disappointment at the vote result.