China Says It Will Disregard Hong Kong Vote

China’s top legislature said Thursday that despite Hong Kong’s vote to reject a Beijing-backed election plan, the plan will remain in force.

Earlier on Thursday, Hong Kong lawmakers had voted against the Beijing-backed plan. They rejected a provision requiring all candidates to be approved by policymakers in Beijing.

Many in Hong Kong rejoiced at the outcome of the vote, thinking it would reduce Beijing’s power over Hong Kong. The vote seemed to vindicate pro-democracy activists who flooded the streets of Hong Kong in protests last year. But the subsequent announcement from Beijing indicates that, despite the vote, Chinese authorities will continue to approve candidates.