Hong Kong democracy rally draws thousands

By Los Angeles Times and The Associated Press

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Although crowd-size estimates differed sharply — organizers pegged it at 100,000, the government 37,000 — even the smaller figure far exceeded expectations.

It was the biggest rally in the former British colony since a mass protest July 1, when about 500,000 people marched against a Beijing-backed anti-subversion bill that they called a curb on freedom.

"Fighting for democracy is something we need to keep at," said student Franky Wong, 19.

The July 1 march threw Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa's government into the biggest crisis since Britain returned the former colony to China in 1997. Tung was forced to back down and he eventually withdrew the bill.

But many demonstrators complained Tung hasn't listened to public demands for quicker political reforms, and they renewed calls for his resignation.

"Hong Kong will only have hope if Tung resigns," said Murphy Chu, 17, a student.

During local council elections in November, disgruntled voters turned out in record numbers and handed the territory's top pro-Beijing party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, a stunning defeat for its unfailing support for Tung.

Although Hong Kong residents enjoy Western-style freedoms unheard of on the mainland, they have no say in choosing their political leader under Chinese rule.

Organizers were particularly heartened given recent improvements in the local economy. Beijing and its close allies in the Hong Kong government have made economic recovery a top priority since the July 1 pro-democracy rally, hoping self-interest would outweigh people's interest in collective rights.

In recent months, Beijing has spurred investment in Hong Kong, opened the tourism spigot on visitors from the mainland and reportedly slowed economic development in competing southern China projects.

Yesterday's marchers were orderly as people ambled from a park to the headquarters of Tung's government, with turnout bolstered by a warm day.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company