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Hong Kong holds 1 July democracy march | Hong Kong holds 1 July democracy march |
(35 minutes later) | |
Crowds have turned out for the annual pro-democracy march in Hong Kong, as it marks the 16th anniversary of the handover to China. | Crowds have turned out for the annual pro-democracy march in Hong Kong, as it marks the 16th anniversary of the handover to China. |
Participants are demanding democratic reform and protesting against the leadership of the current chief executive, CY Leung. | Participants are demanding democratic reform and protesting against the leadership of the current chief executive, CY Leung. |
Hong Kong's top official is currently chosen by a group of 1,200 electors. | Hong Kong's top official is currently chosen by a group of 1,200 electors. |
Mr Leung said that the Hong Kong government was committed to introducing full democracy by 2017. | Mr Leung said that the Hong Kong government was committed to introducing full democracy by 2017. |
Speaking at a ceremony early in the day, he described "implementation of universal suffrage for the chief executive election in 2017" as a "major task" for the Hong Kong government. | Speaking at a ceremony early in the day, he described "implementation of universal suffrage for the chief executive election in 2017" as a "major task" for the Hong Kong government. |
"We hope that people holding different views can set aside their differences and seek consensus as far as possible in an accommodating, pragmatic and peaceful manner," he added. | "We hope that people holding different views can set aside their differences and seek consensus as far as possible in an accommodating, pragmatic and peaceful manner," he added. |
However, pro-democracy activists say progress on reform has been slow and fear interference in the nomination process from Beijing. | However, pro-democracy activists say progress on reform has been slow and fear interference in the nomination process from Beijing. |
"The right to elect a chief executive is a basic political right, which we have been denied for many years," said pro-democracy lawmaker Albert Ho. | |
"We can't afford to wait any longer." | |
Pop concert | Pop concert |
Organisers said they expected up to 400,000 people to take part in the march. | |
Protesters gathered in Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island, before starting the march to Central, Hong Kong's main financial district. | |
Two hours after the rally had started, there were still new protesters entering the park to join the march, Hong Kong media reported. | |
Participants could be heard shouting "CY Leung step down!" and "protect Hong Kong!" | |
James Lam, a protestor, said: "I am here to fight for democracy and freedom. If Hong Kong people did not come out to fight for our freedom, we would lose it in the future." | |
Some also held up posters calling for the release of Nobel Peace Laureate Liu Xiaobo, who is in jail in mainland China on subversion charges. | |
In an indication of the level of anti-China sentiment amongst some protesters, a number of participants held up Hong Kong's colonial flag, which was used prior to 1997, when the city was a British colony. | |
In addition to demanding universal suffrage, protestors are also rallying against high property prices and income inequality. | In addition to demanding universal suffrage, protestors are also rallying against high property prices and income inequality. |
The march takes place on the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China in 1997. | The march takes place on the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China in 1997. |
A pro-government rally and a pop concert are also being held on 1 July, which is a public holiday in Hong Kong. Some retailers are also offering major city-wide discounts on Monday. | A pro-government rally and a pop concert are also being held on 1 July, which is a public holiday in Hong Kong. Some retailers are also offering major city-wide discounts on Monday. |
Critics have described these as attempts to draw people away from the pro-democracy march. | Critics have described these as attempts to draw people away from the pro-democracy march. |
The demonstration has become an annual event since 2003, when 500,000 protestors turned out in opposition to a proposed national security bill and the economic downturn. | The demonstration has become an annual event since 2003, when 500,000 protestors turned out in opposition to a proposed national security bill and the economic downturn. |
The protest contributed to then chief executive Tung Chee-hwa resigning the following year. | The protest contributed to then chief executive Tung Chee-hwa resigning the following year. |
Hong Kong, a British colony until 1997, has a comparatively high degree of autonomy from Beijing. | Hong Kong, a British colony until 1997, has a comparatively high degree of autonomy from Beijing. |
It is governed under the principle of "one country, two systems", under which China has agreed to give the region a high degree of autonomy and to preserve its economic and social systems for 50 years from the date of the handover. | It is governed under the principle of "one country, two systems", under which China has agreed to give the region a high degree of autonomy and to preserve its economic and social systems for 50 years from the date of the handover. |