Overview

• Lawmakers delivered the first defeat of a government bill since the 2021 electoral overhaul, underscoring resistance within the pro-Beijing chamber.
• The proposal would have recognized only overseas-registered unions and offered narrow rights covering hospital visitation, medical decisions with consent, and post-death arrangements such as claiming a body and arranging a funeral.
• The government stressed the framework was not equivalent to marriage; after the vote, Constitutional Affairs Secretary Erick Tsang said no extension would be sought and the Department of Justice would be consulted on next steps.
• LGBTQ advocates and rights groups condemned the veto as a setback for equality and warned it undermines confidence in Hong Kong’s commitment to court rulings and its international reputation.
• Officials said 80% of about 10,800 public submissions opposed the bill, while advocacy groups noted many were templated; separate academic polling in 2023 found roughly 60% support for same-sex marriage.