HONG KONG: Hundreds of thousands of people defied sweltering heat to demonstrate for more democracy and express their anger at China for suppressing Hong Kong's democratic ambitions writes Clifford Coonan
On the seventh anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong to China, some 350,000 people marched through the skyscraper-lined streets of Central Hong, wearing stickers saying: "Democracy can't achieve everything but you can't achieve anything without democracy." Some demonstrators wore white T-shirts with slogans calling for direct rule for the former British colony.
Many marchers waved green and black placards saying "Return power to the people, fight for democracy". "We're marching for the freedom of speech, for the freedom to choose our chief executive and to choose responsible government," said one young demonstrator, Mr Horace Choi.
The march was amazingly well organised; participants politely obeyed traffic signals as they walked to government buildings in Central Hong Kong.
"We're very proud of the fact the Hong Kong people can demonstrate so peacefully. We're not difficult to govern here. Maybe the Beijing government is not that confident in the people of Hong Kong but I think they need to start to listen to different voices here," said Mr Edmund Chong, a lawyer.
His friend Mr Geoffrey Chow, an IT specialist, said the demonstration showed how things had changed in the seven years since the Union Jack went down on Hong Kong.
"Now a lot of people understand democracy and demand more from the government. Eventually we will live in harmony with Beijing but they need to learn more about the Hong Kong people," Mr Chow said.
People carried umbrellas against the searing heat and some passed out as they felt the effects of some of the hottest temperatures so far this year in the mid-30s.
The demonstration gave China's leaders a taste of what they fear most, a mass show of public dissent.
Large displays of public unease in the former colony could embarrass Beijing and exacerbate Communist Party fears about losing political control of Hong Kong.
No official numbers were available, but event organisers, the Civil Human Rights Front, said 350,000 people had taken part - 50,000 more than expected but less than last year, when half a million marched against a controversial draft anti-subversion law Beijing demanded be passed by the legislature.
China tightened its grip on the city in April by ruling out universal suffrage in 2007, when the city's next chief executive is due to be selected.
Chinese officials heaped abuse on leading democracy activists and a number of Hong Kong people reported receiving threatening calls from China, telling them not to vote for pro-democracy candidates in September.
The move angered democrats and alienated many in Hong Kong, who accused Beijing of breaking its promise to allow them a high degree of autonomy, guaranteed under the territory's mini-constitution, the Basic Law.
Hong Kong's veteran pro-democracy campaigner Mr Martin Lee, who has taken a more conciliatory line with Beijing in recent weeks, said the demonstration was about more freedom. "We are here today to fight for democracy. Not a single person here wants independence."
Pro-democracy politicians will try to take control from pro-China supporters in legislative elections in September.
Earlier in the day, the territory's beleaguered chief executive Mr Tung Chee-hwa also struck a conciliatory note during a low-key official ceremony to mark the handover in 1997, which did not include any senior Chinese officials.
"According to the Basic Law to achieve universal suffrage gradually is our common goal," Mr Tung told assembled dignitaries.