HONG KONG: Tens of thousands took to the streets in Hong Kong yesterday calling for China to grant full democracy to the former British colony.
The protest was sparked by a package of unpopular political reforms being pushed by the territory's leader, chief executive Donald Tsang, in an attempt to balance public demands for democracy with China's desire to maintain control over any plans for the territory. However, the pro-democracy camp have said the reforms are inadequate and are calling for a timetable for full democracy, allowing the public to vote for their leader.
The crowds, mostly dressed in black as requested by the protest organisers, gathered at Victoria Park in the busy shopping district of Causeway Bay at 3pm local time. The peaceful and orderly crowd made their way to Central Government Offices chanting "one man, one vote" and holding banners expressing their dissatisfaction at the proposed reforms.
The turnout was higher than the expected 50,000 but the actual figures were disputed. Organisers estimated that 250,000 people attended the rally but the police claimed the figure was much lower at 63,000. The demonstration lasted until late in the evening with crowds staying on to protest outside the government offices.
If passed, the reforms proposed by Mr Tsang would double the size of the committee which selects the chief executive to 1,600 and expand the legislature, called the Legislative Council, by 10 seats, five of which would be directly elected. Much to the disappointment of the pro-democracy camp, the proposals do not contain any timeline to grant full democracy.
Currently, the chief executive is approved by the Chinese leaders and is chosen by the committee. Half of the Legislative Council are directly elected while the other half are selected by interest groups.
The Basic Law, Hong Kong's constitution calls for gradual progress towards universal suffrage but doesn't provide a timeframe for this to be achieved. China regained control of Hong Kong in 1997 and despite widespread calls for full democracy, the central government has been unwilling to let the former British colony decide for itself when universal suffrage should be introduced. The pro-democracy members of the Legislative Council have 25 votes, enough to defeat the proposed bill when it goes to a vote on December 21st. The democrats have said that they will vote against the bill if Mr Tsang does not introduce a timetable for democracy. Responding to the high turnout, Mr Tsang told a press conference late last night that he had "heard the voice" of the protesters. "I am sixty years of age and I certainly want to see universal suffrage in Hong Kong in my time," he added. However, he refused to give into the protesters' demands and defended his proposals. "Both the central government and this administration is actively leading this community towards universal suffrage in an orderly fashion," he said.
Yesterday's march was not the first pro-democracy march in Hong Kong. Half-a-million people turned out for pro-democracy protests in July 2003 and 2004, forcing the government to withdraw plans for an anti-subversion law and contributing to the first leadership change since the handover.