100,000 march for full democracy in Hong Kong

Anson Chan, the popular ex secretary-general of the territory was among the demonstrators. The Catholic bishop, Mgr Joseph Zen, presided over a prayer service before the march, urging all to participate and calling for full democracy.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) – At least 100,000 people took to the streets to join a march in the heart of Hong Kong, calling for full democracy as stipulated in the territory's mini-constitution accepted by China eight years ago, when the formal British colony passed under the rule of the People's Republic, albeit maintaining its autonomy.

Trade unionists, pro-democracy activists, associations and whole families with children took part in the demonstration, carrying placards denouncing the restraints imposed by China on the people's requests: grassroots election for the head of Executive and universal suffrage.

In response to widespread protests, the authorities – in agreement with Beijing – had proposed the enlargement of the elective committee (800 people) which picks the governor. Beijing even intervened to say that each and every electoral reform towards full democracy must be managed by China, infringing the principle on which Hong Kong's autonomy is based, that is, "one country, two systems".

The high turnout for the march – higher than predicted – is a sign of the people's frustration and the first indication of no confidence in Donald Tsung, the governor chosen by the committee last June, endorsing prior hints made by Beijing.

Among the demonstrators was Anson Chan, former secretary-general with the last English governor, Chris Patten, and with the first Chinese governor, Tung Chee-hwa. Anson Chan, who stepped down from her post because of differences of opinion with China and Tung, is extremely popular in the territory.  "I feel there's a need to fight for democracy," she told journalists.

Before the march, Mgr Joseph Zen, Catholic bishop of Hong Kong, presided over a prayer service, urging the population of Hong Kong to back the journey towards democracy. Mgr Zen, like other well-known personalities in the territory, is calling not for small changes to the electoral committees – as proposed by Beijing – but for universal suffrage and a timetable for its implementation in Hong Kong.

According to some surveys, more than 60% of the population wants full democracy.

• hong
• kong
• china
• democracy
• march
• 4
• december
• human
• rights
• catholic
• church
• joseph
• zen
• anson
• chan