HONG KONG : An estimated 250,000 people took to the streets of
Hong Kong, demanding the full democracy that was promised when
Britain handed its former colony back to China eight years
ago.
But political leader Donald Tsang defiantly refused to give in to
their calls for swifter change, saying the Chinese territory must
take it one step at a time.
Frustrated with a package of limited reforms proposed by the
Beijing-appointed Tsang, marchers thronged the streets Sunday in
the biggest show of public anger since he took office in
June.
It follows a series of huge rallies called in demand of political
change since the territory reverted to Chinese rule in 1997,
including one that drew more than 500,000 people in 2003.
Organisers, the Civil Human Rights Front, said more than a quarter
of a million people had joined the march. Police said 63,000 had
mustered, although witnesses said there were far more by the end of
the rally.
Leading pro-democracy legislator Ronny Tong described it as a
"defining moment for Hong Kong".
"The single message is clear: we want universal suffrage," he
said.
In a hastily convened press conference afterwards, however, Tsang
said he would not budge.
"There's no room for change," he said, looking sombre and drawn,
without his trademark bow-tie.
Opponents say the proposals -- to broaden a committee of
Beijing-backed elites that chooses the chief executive and to
enlarge the legislature -- would be a step backward for the full
democracy spelled out under the Basic Law post-colonial
constitution.
Democrats in the legislature say they will veto the bill unless
Tsang offers a timetable for democratic reform.
Tsang appealed for the protesters' support.
"I have listened to them and share their ideals," he said, adding
he would pursue a so-called roadmap to democracy as soon as his
proposals are endorsed, which he hoped would happen in the
legislature on December 21.
"What I am proposing is a step forward towards democracy," he
said.
His words were unlikely to soothe thousands of protesters who had
staged a rally outside the government headquarters after the march,
vowing to maintain an all-night vigil until the chief executive
addressed them.
Dressed mostly in black, thousands had earlier chanted slogans
calling for swift and substantial reforms in a march from Victoria
Park.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/181934/1/.html
