Hong Kong's pro-democracy lawmakers have staged a dramatic walk-out as the territory's leader told the legislature there will be no deviation from Beijing's policy on elections.
In his first speech to Hong Kong's legislature since huge street rallies calling for free leadership elections, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying made no concessions to protesters and questioned their "understanding" of the intricacies of politics in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.
"Hong Kong's power originates from the central authorities (in Beijing)," said Leung.
"Hong Kong's autonomy... is a high degree of autonomy, not an absolute autonomy."
Beijing has ruled that candidates for the city's first ever public vote for its chief executive in 2017 must be vetted by a loyalist committee, which campaigners denounce as "fake democracy".
Around 20 pro-democracy lawmakers walked out of the legislative council chamber and two were bundled out by security before Leung's speech.
Carrying banners and yellow umbrellas, the symbol of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, they shouted: "Down with CY Leung! True universal suffrage!".
Security guards surrounded two members of the People Power party who refused to leave and were shouting "shameful" at Leung.
Chan Chi-chuen and Chan Wai-yip were eventually carried out.
Leung, whose address was delayed for 15 minutes, gave a faint smile and busied himself reading through his speech as the protests continued.
The chief executive usually lays out domestic policies for the year ahead in the annual address, which this year also covered issues including the economy, housing and transport.
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