Hong Kong legislative council on Thursday vetoed a motion of the proposed universal suffrage for selection of the region's next chief executive.
A total of 28 lawmakers of the legislative council (LegCo) voted against the motion, which failed to reach the two-thirds majority in the 70-member chamber.
It means that in 2017 the fifth chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will be selected by the election committee as before.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said at a press conference after the veto that 28 LegCo members voted against the wishes of the majority of Hong Kong people.
"I, the Hong Kong government and millions of Hong Kong people are naturally disappointed," said the Chief Executive.
For the past 20 months, the central government, Hong Kong government and the whole community have put in great deal of time and effort to reach a consensus on Hong Kong's constitutional development, Leung added.
Leung said the electoral reform conformed to the HKSAR Basic Law and the decision of China's top legislature. It is the best arrangement according to the situation of Hong Kong.
Various public polls showed that a majority of Hong Kong citizens were in favor of universal suffrage and approved of the electoral reforms.
"It is time for the community to move on, and in the coming two years, the Hong Kong government will focus on economic development and people's livelihood issues," said Leung. "The civil service will continue to serve the public with devotion and professionalism."
The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on Thursday said the result ran counter to the mainstream opinion of Hong Kong society and is not an outcome the central government is willing to see.
"A handful of Hong Kong legislators voted against the motion out of their private interests, hindering the democratic development in Hong Kong and blowing an important opportunity for Hong Kong to realize the election by universal suffrage, a result they should be held responsible for," the statement of the Office said.
It added that "we fully acknowledge and support the remarks by Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and appreciate the efforts of the Hong Kong administration and people from all walks of life in promoting universal suffrage."
The Office further pledged to continue the "one country, two systems" policy, and "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" with a high degree of autonomy.
It also pledged to support the SAR government and chief executive, and to support the SAR government in a "lawful" and "step-wise" democratic development till the universal suffrage is realized.
