Hong Kong ? Hong Kong must wait another 10 years to directly elect its own leader, China said Saturday, drawing protests from hundreds in the former British colony who said they were being cheated of the right to vote.

Protesters marched, lit candles and raised banners, saying the government in Beijing ignored the wishes of Hong Kong’s 7 million people. Proponents of democracy, who say the bustling financial hub is mature enough to choose its own government, had tried to have the first direct elections held in 2007, then in 2012.

“We are extremely disappointed – you could say we are furious – about this decision in ruling out 2012,” Democrat Party chairman Albert Ho told the government-run RTHK radio station. “The wishes of the Hong Kong people have been totally ignored.”