HONG KONG — The Hong Kong government announced plans to introduce legislation granting limited legal rights to same-sex couples married overseas, following a 2023 court ruling.

The proposed law would allow registered foreign same-sex spouses — where one is a Hong Kong resident — to apply for recognition of specific rights, including hospital visits, medical decisions, sharing health information, organ donation, and handling a deceased partner’s body.

The move stops short of full marriage equality, which Hong Kong’s top court has ruled remains confined to opposite-sex couples. Critics, including activist Jimmy Sham and advocacy group Marriage Equality, called the proposal too narrow and unfair, warning it could spark further legal challenges.

Lawmakers are set to discuss the bill Thursday, though no timeline for passage has been given. Public support for same-sex marriage in Hong Kong has risen to 60% in recent years, but opposition from pro-Beijing politicians persists, calling the measure divisive.