by Paul Wang

After a few hours, already at least 200,000 have voted. Although not binding, the referendum worries Beijing. The diocese backs the poll and parishes have offered space for voting. Rumours about China-Vatican talks are an attempt to drive a wedge between the Church and pro-democracy movements.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - The referendum on democratic reforms by Hong Kong's Occupy Central movement is already in full swing. A few hours after kick off at noon today, more than 200,000 people had voted. For organisers, getting 100,000 was already a good result. Meanwhile, many local parishes are offering their premises for the poll.

Hong Kongers are being asked to express themselves on what is the best way to elect the next Chief Executive in 2017, directly through universal suffrage as pro-democracy groups would like, or by a committee of representatives partly appointed by the Hong Kong and Chinese government, as is the case today.

According to organisers, the poll was meant to survey public opinion over for two days (20-22 June), but a hacker attack against the Occupy Central server made it necessary to extend the vote to the 29^th.

To help voting, many parishes have opened up their halls, parking and churchyards to accommodate polling stations.

In general, Hong Kong Catholics are all thrilled and eager to give their views on democracy.

Kung Kaopo, the diocese's Chinese language newspaper, today published a series of articles and photographs on the event.

Bishop Emeritus Card Joseph Zen today ended an 84-km walk through scores of Hong Kong districts to encourage citizens to participate in the referendum.

Even Card John Tong, the current bishop, supports the right of the people to express themselves on democracy.

In recent days, press reports have suggested that Beijing wanted to open diplomatic talks with the Vatican. However, some Hong Kong priests said that such rumours are a way for the mainland to prevent a closer alliance between pro-democracy groups and the Catholic Church.

Chinese leaders are definitely afraid of non-violent struggle for democracy. In recent days, a Chinese official formerly posted to Hong Kong utter threats saying that China would intervene militarily to prevent Occupy Central from leading to a "declaration of independence".

Beijing has officially said that any interpretation of the Basic Law (Hong Kong's constitution) is subject to its power.

The Basic Law envisaged democratic reforms as of 2008 (nine years after Hong Kong's return to China). In the end, Beijing moved it up to 2017 but is now getting cold feet.

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