Lawmakers have voted down a government proposal to introduce a framework recognising same-sex partnerships in Hong Kong – the first time a bill has been vetoed in this legislative term.

There were 71 votes against the proposed system and 14 in favour, while one other lawmaker decided to abstain.

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang told reporters after the vote that the government respects the legislature's decision.

"The government is not going to apply for any extension of time from the court for the moment, but we will further discuss with the [Department of Justice] to see how to take forward the matter," Tsang said.

"[The Legislative Council] is dutifully and effectively discharging its functions and obligations under the Basic Law, to closely scrutinise the bill and to render advice to the government and also to reflect the views of the public to us. I don't see any question about the rule of law in Hong Kong being adversely affected in any way."

Drawn up in response to a landmark ruling by the Court of Final Appeal in 2023, the registration mechanism would have granted same-sex couples limited rights such as those related to medical decisions and after-death arrangements.

Of the some 30 lawmakers who spoke during the bill's second reading, around a quarter of them declared their support, including Martin Liao who represents the commercial sector.

"I consider the bill to be a 'minimum spend'. It has struck a reasonable balance, after taking into various views on same-sex partnerships from all walks of life, the actual situation in society and the overall interests of the community," Liao said.

"At the same time, I fully understand that some people are concerned that the bill may impact Hong Kong's monogamous marriage system between a man and a woman, established since 1971."

New People's Party chairperson Regina Ip said she asked all of her party's members in the legislature to back the bill, adding the proposed framework had garnered international attention.

DAB chair Gary Chan, whose party was against the bill, said he received the blessing from members to vote in favour of the framework, to support the administration in his capacity as an executive councillor.

His fellow party member and lawmaker Holden Chow, however, likened support for the framework to "opening Pandora's box".

He said the passage of the bill would "leave the door wide open" and encourage people to legally register same-sex unions abroad, which in turn would mean their marriages were recognised locally.

"The same-sex partnership registration bill is bound to overturn Hong Kong's marriage system between a man and a woman, effectively recognising same-sex marriage," Chow said.

"This will have serious consequences on the mainstream traditional values we have always upheld and the family values of the next generation."

Also opposing the bill were lawmakers from the Federation of Trade Unions, with Bill Tang calling the issue "extremely controversial" and saying society as a whole has yet to reach a consensus.

Liberal Party's Peter Shiu, for his part, underscored the need to respect the "general opposition" to the system.

A handful of lawmakers who spoke on the matter did not state their stance, while Election Committee legislator Doreen Kong said she would abstain from the vote.