Hong Kong and Taiwan have voted to retain the definition of marriage between one man and one woman.
In Hong Kong, a motion to pave the way for legalising same-sex unions was rejected by 27 votes to 24 votes in parliament on Thursday.
A referendum in Taiwan also rejected legalising same-sex marriage in defiance of a high court ruling last year.
One man, one woman
The attempt to redefine marriage in Hong Kong was proposed by lawmaker, Ray Chan.
But lawmakers voted to uphold traditional marriage citing ‘mainstream values’ and the wide-reaching legal repercussions of redefinition.
In a series of referendums in Taiwan on Saturday, voters were asked whether current legislation defining marriages as ‘a union between a man and a woman’ should remain unchanged.
Taiwan
An alternative question asking if the marriage law should be amended to include same-sex relationships was also put forward.
Voters backed the existing law and also approved an initiative that schools should avoid teaching LGBT education.
In May 2017, a court ordered the Government to legislate for same-sex marriage. It is expected this will still go ahead, but the public vote may strengthen protections for traditional marriage.
‘Good news’
The Christian Institute’s Ciarán Kelly, said: “This is good news. Hong Kong and Taiwan have made clear statements that marriage can only be between a man and a woman.
“From the UK experience we know that no sooner has marriage been redefined once for same-sex relationships than the pressure starts to redefine it again for polygamy or other relationships.
“These countries can congratulate themselves on refusing to redefine an institution that has served the world well for millennia.”