Beijing concerns about 1 July march in Hong Kong
Hong Kong (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Beijing is alarmed about an expected high turnout in tomorrow's march for democracy, which threatens to undermine the authority of Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan said at the press conference organised to present the event.
Organisers are hoping that at least 100,000 people will come out, civil servants as well, to push for greater democracy in the territory, including direct elections and universal suffrage. They are also critical of the government’s economic policies.
For Beijing both would be embarrassing and large-scale participation would be a slap in the face in terms of its policies towards the territory and would sour the anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to the mainland.
“This year is the 60th anniversary [of the establishment of the People's Republic of China]. They [Chinese leaders] are afraid they will lose face if many people hit the streets,” Albert Ho said.
Since 2003, 1 July has become an annual event. In that year 500,000 people from all walks of life came out to protest against the economic policies of then Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa as well as express their opposition to a draft security bill which would have limited Kong Kongers’ freedom.
The turnout was so big that the government ended up shelving the bill. But since then, the march has provided an opportunity to demand full democracy for the former British Crown colony. At present only half of all the members of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council are democratically elected. The chief executive is also picked by an Election Commission appointed by Beijing. And, in violation of the agreement with the former colonial power, Great Britain, mainland China has postponed the introduction of universal suffrage until after 2017. It was originally scheduled to be implemented in 2007.
Organisers are hopeful that this year the turnout will be high, especially after 150,000 people came out on 4 June to attend a vigil marking the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre.
This year, many public sector unions have also decided to join the march, frustrated by the government for contracting out more and more public services rather than improve their contracts.
Police expects about 90,000 people to turn out and is planning to deploy about 2,000 agents in the city’s downtown area.
In the morning official ceremonies will kick off the day’s events with the raising of the flag, a government reception, and a parade. In the afternoon the march for democracy is set to start at Victoria Park.
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