by Our Foreign Desk

HONG KONG’S government unveiled electoral reforms yesterday, throwing down the gauntlet to pro-democracy activists opposed to restrictions from Beijing on candidates for city chief executive.

Rejection of the government’s initial proposal last year sparked protests that saw key streets in the city occupied for nearly three months and violent clashes with riot police.

Nearly 1,000 people were arrested during what was called the Occupy Central protest movement that marked the city’s most tumultuous period since China resumed sovereignty in 1997 after British colonial rule.

In order to pass, the reform package needs a two-thirds majority — 47 of 70 seats — in the city’s legislature before it breaks for summer in July.

With pro-democracy members controlling 27 seats, the government hopes to persuade four members to switch sides.

Outlining the package details to legislators, chief secretary Carrie Lam said that the city’s five million voters could choose from up to three candidates in 2017.

However, the power to select candidates would remain with a 1,200-member shortlisting group.

Opposition members walked out of the legislative chamber after Ms Lam’s speech.

Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun-ying insisted that the government would not give ground to opposition demands.

“At the moment, we don’t see any room for compromise,” he said, warning that this could be the last chance in a while to change the system.

“Launching political reform is not easy. If it’s vetoed this time, I believe it will be a number of years before we can launch it again.”