HONG KONG’S legislative council began a debate on democratic reforms today — only for members aligned with anti-Beijing protests to walk out en masse.

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam’s opening speech was interrupted as pro-protest die-hards unfurled yellow umbrellas — last year’s abortive demonstrations had been optimistically dubbed “the umbrella revolution” — and left the chamber.

Ms Lam urged members to “think twice and not completely destroy space for political discussion before the second consultation has started.”

Hong Kong’s government was appointed from London until 1997, but since its return to China the territory has taken steps towards electing its leadership — planned to culminate in universal suffrage elections in 2017.

Student-led street protests claimed the elections would not be free since candidates have to be vetted by a committee and initially received widespread support, but this dried up as residents grew irritated by their refusal to negotiate with the government.

If opposition MPs block an agreement the elections are unlikely to go ahead on schedule.