Hong Kongers decry Chinese rule

[ajtr]

Hong Kongers decry Chinese rule

WANTING TO HAVE A SAY: PROTESTERS RAISE FLAGS AS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS MARCH IN A DOWNTOWN STREET DURING AN ANNUAL PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTEST. PICTURE: AP AP

A HUGE Hong Kong protest has provided a defiant reception for its new leader and a show of popular anger after 15 years of Chinese rule.


The vast rally came after Leung Chun-ying, a millionaire property consultant seen as close to China's communist authorities, was sworn in as chief executive in front of Chinese President Hu Jintao - who had his speech interrupted.

Mr Hu's visit and Mr Leung's inauguration have become focal points for growing discontent towards Beijing, which has surged to a new post-handover high amid soaring housing costs, limited democracy and perceived meddling by China.

"Hong Kong has become much worse off," Eric Lai of the Civil Human Rights Front told the marchers. "Our rights are under serious threat."

Organisers put the crowd at 400,000, their largest claimed turnout for eight years and almost twice their number last year. But police said only 63,000 attended - although that was also their largest figure for eight years.

The marches have become an annual fixture since 2003, when 500,000 people showed their fury over a security bill and economic downturn, a key factor in the then chief executive Tung Chee-hwa stepping down the following year.

Yesterday's crowd ranged from engineers and civil servants to maids and students, and represented groups from the Falun Gong spiritual movement to trade unions, as well as ordinary citizens young and old.

In sweltering heat the last of them reached their destination almost six hours after the first set out, and along the way they blocked streets far across the city, stranding buses and trams as they surrounded them.

Mostly clad in the mourning colours of black and white, they carried placards calling for "One person one vote" and chanted "Power to the people", sometimes in more of a carnival atmosphere, complete with drums and songs.

The financial centre enjoys significant autonomy and civil liberties unheard of on the mainland under the "one country, two systems" model covering its return to China in 1997 after more than a century of British rule.

But marcher Jacky Lim, 37, who carried Hong Kong's former colonial flag bearing the British Union Jack, said: "There is nothing worth celebrating today. Hong Kong is being gradually destroyed by the Communist Party.

"The direct interference of Beijing in the election of Leung Chun-ying is a clear example," he said.

Hong Kong does not yet choose its leader by universal suffrage, and Mr Leung was elected as chief executive in March by a committee stacked with pro-Beijing business elites.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong government said it "fully respected" freedom of expression and the right to "take part in processions", and would listen to the demonstrators' views "in a humble manner".

Earlier, as Mr Hu began his speech to around 2300 guests at Mr Leung's inauguration, a protester inside the harbour-front venue repeatedly shouted "End one-party rule".

The man also referred to the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 in Beijing, and was rapidly bundled away by security personnel, while the audience drowned him out with extended applause for Mr Hu.

Beijing's support for "one country, two systems" and the right of Hong Kongers to rule the territory was "unwavering", said Mr Hu.

"We will follow the Basic Law... to continue to advance democratic development in Hong Kong," said the president, who will step down as part of a once-in-a-decade leadership transition in Beijing starting later this year.

Mr Hu - who said Friday he hoped to understand Hong Kongers' "life and expectations" - left for Beijing before the march began.

Stifling security was imposed for his three-day visit, with police using pepper spray on demonstrators at one point on Saturday, and briefly detaining a Hong Kong reporter who shouted a question about Tiananmen at Mr Hu.

China's economic rise has helped spur impressive growth in Hong Kong and boost the city's status, and supporters packed a stadium yesterday for a gala celebration featuring a People's Liberation Army parachute display.

But tensions are growing between the seven million locals and their northern neighbours, with newly rich Chinese mainlanders accused of everything from pushing up property prices to monopolising maternity beds.

A poll released by Hong Kong University last week showed mistrust towards Beijing at 37 per cent, a post-handover high, and the number of Hong Kongers identifying themselves primarily as citizens of China plunged to a 13-year low in another survey.

There are also complaints about a widening gap between rich and poor and Mr Leung has promised to tackle the grievances but ahead of his swearing-in, a group of demonstrators burned his portrait.

"If we work together, I am sure Hong Kong - the Pearl of the Orient - will sparkle again," Mr Leung said in his speech.

 

[ajtr]

Mass protests as Hong Kong marks 15 years under China

Juliana Liu
BBC News, Hong Kong
There was a carnival atmosphere, with pro-democracy political parties chanting slogans. Members of civic groups showed off their singing and dancing skills. And supporters of the Falun Gong spiritual group, which is banned in mainland China, sat peacefully in the lotus position, before joining in the protest with their marching band.

Elaine Mok, a demonstrator who took part with her extended family, told me she marches nearly every year in order to fight for justice and the rule of law, and to oppose mainland interference in Hong Kong affairs. They were there, she said, to remind their Chinese overlords that Hong Kong people want the right to vote, as promised when this city returned to mainland rule.

Most of the protesters were professionals like Ms Mok. Some families brought their young children. A broad cross-section of Hong Kong society gathered to agitate against one-party rule in China and to demand the right to universal suffrage, which people here increasingly believe is their natural birthright.

Tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators have marched through the streets of Hong Kong as the former British colony marked 15 years since the return to Chinese rule.

The rally for human rights takes place annually, but has been bolstered this year by anger towards Beijing.

Earlier, China's visiting President Hu Jintao swore in businessman CY Leung as the territory's new leader.

During the ceremony, a lone heckler tried to interrupt Mr Hu's speech.

On the streets outside, massive crowds beat drums and waved flags as they marched though the city to call for full democracy and express their frustration with the mainland.

'Rule of law'
The BBC's Juliana Liu, who was at the protest, says there was a carnival atmosphere with political parties shouting slogans and civic groups showing off their singing and dancing skills.

One of the main complaints was that the system used to choose Hong Kong's leader is designed to install Beijing's choice.

A so-called electoral college of 1,200 business leaders and other influential citizens, mostly loyal to Beijing, selects the leader.

Elaine Mok, who was taking part in the protest with her family, said the march was about the right to universal suffrage.

"We're fighting for justice. We're fighting for the rule of law," she told the BBC. "The Chinese government is interfering with the workings of the Hong Kong government, and that's not right."

"We are fighting for the right to vote. It should have happened by now."

According to Paul Yip, a demographic specialist at the University of Hong Kong, some 82,000 people attended the rally - about 20,000 more than last year's demonstration.

Organisers, meanwhile, put the figure much higher, at 400,000.

'Joyous occasion'
Our correspondent says Mr Hu's visit was a far cry from his last appearance five years ago, when he toured Hong Kong in a blaze of pre-Olympic glory.

At the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Hu offered "warm congratulations" to the 57-year-old Mr Leung and his team and described the 15th anniversary as a "joyous occasion".
He reiterated Beijing's commitment to the "one country, two systems" policy whereby Hong Kongers are allowed many more political freedoms than Chinese people on the mainland.

Mr Hu continued the address despite an interruption by a member of the crowd, who was heard calling for a condemnation of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre and an end to one-party rule in China.

The man, who was a guest at the inauguration ceremony, was quickly bundled out of the harbourfront building by security.

Mr Hu, whose visit was carefully choreographed, left before Sunday's protests began.

But on Saturday, police had to shield the president from demonstrators, and officers used pepper spray to disperse crowds who were demanding an investigation into the death in China of a Tiananmen activist, Li Wangyang, last month.

His visit comes as public confidence in the Beijing government has fallen to a new low.

People are unhappy with record property prices, an increasing wealth gap, a lack of democracy and a string of political scandals, our correspondent says.

Hong Kong, a British colony until 1997, has a comparatively high degree of autonomy from Beijing.

But China's leaders in Beijing have resisted public pressure for full democracy in the city.

Mr Leung replaces Donald Tsang, who took office in 2005.

 

[amoy]

If u can understand Chinese slogans on those banners u may have a grip of Hong Kong -er's major grievances

- universal suffrage on white banners: for the time being the Chief of Hong Kong is elected by an electoral college of 1200 members. Universal suffrage won't happen until 2016. Business tycoons have a big say in local politics.

- Labor rights on yellow banners: there's a wide social disparity and a polarization between the rich and the poor. The minimum wage bill was passed only last May.

 

[Ray]

There seems to be discontent in Hong Kong.

And it is most surprising the Hu Jintao was interrupted.

It is something that is never heard of under the Chinese rule.

 

[Ray]

Hong Kong heaves in protest

- Derision reserved for new chief executive and Chinese masters

A pro-democracy demonstrator holds a portrait of Queen Elizabeth as he marches in downtown Hong Kong on Sunday, the 15th anniversary of the territory's handover to China. (Reuters)

Hong Kong, July 1: Huge crowds of protesters thronged the streets of Hong Kong today afternoon, hours after President Hu Jintao of China swore in a new chief executive and cabinet for the territory.

Surging down broad avenues between high-rises in a central shopping district, the protesters marched toward two government office complexes carrying a variety of banners. A wide range of causes were represented, including greater democracy in Hong Kong and calls for better state pensions and day care.

But the most common theme was derision toward Hong Kong's new chief executive, Leung Chun-ying. He was widely portrayed as a wolf because democracy activists contend that he is "a wolf in sheep's clothing", whose sympathies for the Chinese Communist Party may lead him to roll back some of the city's cherished civil liberties — although Leung has denied that.

"We worry that as he becomes our leader, he will betray our freedoms and civil rights," said Juno Wu, a 24-year-old librarian.

The Hong Kong government issued a statement in the evening, saying that it would protect civil liberties.

"The government will uphold the core values of Hong Kong and protect the freedom and rights of the people," the statement said. "The chief executive and his team will honour their pledge to hold themselves accountable to the people. They will go to the districts to listen to people's views and aspirations and work together with them to address the deep-rooted problems in a pragmatic manner, improve people's livelihood and promote harmony and stability in society."

People streamed out of Victoria Park, where the protest began, and into the march for more than four hours, making it one of the largest political protests in Hong Kong in the past decade — or anywhere in China, for that matter, since protests are banned on the mainland.

The Hong Kong police said that the number of people in the park at the beginning of the march had been 55,000. Organisers said that 400,000 people had participated in the march, including many who joined along the nearly two-mile route.

Ivan Choy, a Hong Kong politics analyst at Chinese University of Hong Kong, said that the crowd's size relative to Hong Kong's population of 7 million would make it harder for Leung to preserve his political legitimacy. "We have 5 per cent of the population asking him to step down and focusing on his integrity," Mr Choy said.

The protest took place after Hu had already flown out of Hong Kong at midday, following the inauguration of Leung.

An unexpected element of the demonstration that may discomfit Beijing officials lay in the participation in the march of hundreds of mainland Chinese who carried banners denouncing the confiscation of their farms for government-backed real estate projects in communities near Hong Kong.

"It is not possible to protest in China, so we come here instead," said a middle-aged mainlander who insisted on anonymity to avoid government retaliation.

Mainland Chinese have frequently attended candlelight vigils and other protests here, sometimes as participants and sometimes as curious onlookers, but usually at night. It is unusual for them to carry large banners through the streets in daylight.

Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 after British and Chinese leaders promised considerable autonomy to the city until at least 2047.

Earlier Sunday, the swearing-in of Leung was briefly disrupted when one of the 2,300 guests began shouting as Hu addressed the audience. An unidentified man asked Hu to end one-party rule in mainland China and to remember June 4, a reference to the date of the military crackdown in 1989 on protesters at Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

Security guards quickly escorted the man out of the convention centre room where the ceremony was being held.

Hu promised the audience at the ceremony that Beijing would uphold the "one country, two systems" model in place since the handover. Beijing has promised that Hong Kong's civil rights — including free speech, independent courts and a free press — will be preserved, along with its capitalist system.

Hong Kong heaves in protest

Simply shocking.

And carrying the Queen's photo is like a direct slap in the face of the Chinese Communists, as if to suggest that the British rule was far better than that under the Chinese Communists.

 

[s002wjh]

its just mean there is more freedom there than mainland

 

[no smoking]

Simply shocking.

And carrying the Queen's photo is like a direct slap in the face of the Chinese Communists, as if to suggest that the British rule was far better than that under the Chinese Communists.

First, looking at the crowd distanced from him, how many queen picture have you found? It may suggest that how popular this idea is.
Second, look at this people's age and you can know how much he knows about british rules--he probably holds this picture because the queen happened to have a pretty face in her early age.
Third, obviously he has the freedom to denouce CCP's influence in HK. Isn't that CCP promised? It looks like that CCP keep its word.

 

[mki]

First, looking at the crowd distanced from him, how many queen picture have you found? It may suggest that how popular this idea is.
Second, look at this people's age and you can know how much he knows about british rules--he probably holds this picture because the queen happened to have a pretty face in her early age.
Third, obviously he has the freedom to denouce CCP's influence in HK. Isn't that CCP promised? It looks like that CCP keep its word.

First: the article says the number of people is 400000 according to organizers and officially its 63000. can you even count 63 individual from the snap? ( i can't, may be i need to eye checkup).
Second: Its god gift to majority of East Asian, Chinese and Japanese people about the age. They look lot younger that actual. ( 2 years back before getting committed i asked one Chinese lady (she was smoking hot) for date. I thought she is 25-26 year old but after date i got to know she is 47... )
Third: you can not believe CCP's word. You never know when they change their act. After all CCP and Paki are best friend.

 

[s002wjh]

lol one queens photo and you think everyone there want rule by an old hag. the protest was about the new HK leader, not about support of UK queen. if someone in US hold a sarah palin photo, is that mean everyone want sarah palin to be president lol

 

[Ray]

First, looking at the crowd distanced from him, how many queen picture have you found? It may suggest that how popular this idea is.
Second, look at this people's age and you can know how much he knows about british rules--he probably holds this picture because the queen happened to have a pretty face in her early age.
Third, obviously he has the freedom to denouce CCP's influence in HK. Isn't that CCP promised? It looks like that CCP keep its word.

Even one picture of the Queen should not be acceptable to the Communist regime.

Would the Americans allow a picture of Osama bi Laden Mao held aloft (to indicate they are better than the US democracy) when some protest march has been organised in front of the White House?

Age of the protester does not matter.

He is entitled to denounce anything that he wants, but he should not indicate that the old regime of the imperialists is better than the regime of the Communists and their proteges.

His 'statement' is indicative that the Communist regime is reprehensible and disgusting and it was better when the Chinese were under the Imperialists.

 

[billyong]

Even one picture of the Queen should not be acceptable to the Communist regime.

Would the Americans allow a picture of Osama bi Laden Mao held aloft (to indicate they are better than the US democracy) when some protest march has been organised in front of the White House?

Age of the protester does not matter.

He is entitled to denounce anything that he wants, but he should not indicate that the old regime of the imperialists is better than the regime of the Communists and their proteges.

His 'statement' is indicative that the Communist regime is reprehensible and disgusting and it was better when the Chinese were under the Imperialists.

"Even one picture of the Queen should not be acceptable to the Communist regime."
LOL It's 2012! not 1945 in UK! You can hold anything you went in China as long as you following the LAW! No one care!

"Would the Americans allow a picture of Osama bi Laden Mao held aloft (to indicate they are better than the US democracy) when some protest march has been organised in front of the White House?"

Dude !Are you for real ???Of course you can held MAO in front of the White House! What's wrong with that?? He is on every damn Chinese's money!(BTW check out Mike Tyson's arm!)
bi Laden is a terrorist!when did your queen became a terrorist??

 

[agentperry]

they want rule of crown back. red carpet worse then brit exploitative rule.

 

[no smoking]

Even one picture of the Queen should not be acceptable to the Communist regime.

Well, the communist regime can do nothing about it. Hongkong's current political system decides that CCP cannot control it directly but influence it.

Would the Americans allow a picture of Osama bi Laden Mao held aloft (to indicate they are better than the US democracy) when some protest march has been organised in front of the White House?

Since when China declare that UK or the queen as the enemy of china?

Age of the protester does not matter.

It does! Your age means how much first hand knowledge you got about UK rule! I bet this guy has no idea that Hongkongness had no right to select their leaders before 1996 direct or indrect. Cursing CCP's hand in Hongkong is fine, but using UK as their example is quite funny.

He is entitled to denounce anything that he wants, but he should not indicate that the old regime of the imperialists is better than the regime of the Communists and their proteges. His 'statement' is indicative that the Communist regime is reprehensible and disgusting and it was better when the Chinese were under the Imperialists.

CCP doesn't stop him from expressing his own opinion. Everyone has his or her reason to be unsatisfied with life - CCP has lots more serious problems to face, really don't have time or energy for his concerns unless the majority of chinese has the same concern.

 

[no smoking]

First: the article says the number of people is 400000 according to organizers and officially its 63000. can you even count 63 individual from the snap? ( i can't, may be i need to eye checkup).

So, what is your point?

Second: Its god gift to majority of East Asian, Chinese and Japanese people about the age. They look lot younger that actual. ( 2 years back before getting committed i asked one Chinese lady (she was smoking hot) for date. I thought she is 25-26 year old but after date i got to know she is 47... )

Maybe you cannot tell the age of a chinese. But my friend, I am very confident that I can, simply because I am a chinese.

Third: you can not believe CCP's word. You never know when they change their act. After all CCP and Paki are best friend.

I don't believe any gov's word, I see what they do: so far, CCP still keeps its word--you didn't see the police or army standing in their way, right?

 

[Ray]

Well, the communist regime can do nothing about it. Hongkong's current political system decides that CCP cannot control it directly but influence it.

If they can 'influence' the quasi democracy of Hong Kong, they can 'influence' anything in Hong Kong. 'Influence' is the polite lexicon in the Communist dictionary for 'control'.

Since when China declare that UK or the queen as the enemy of china?

Since when did the US declare Mao as the enemy of the US? But try taking out a demonstration with a Mao's photo stating that Communism should replace US democracy!

It does! Your age means how much first hand knowledge you got about UK rule! I bet this guy has no idea that Hongkongness had no right to select their leaders before 1996 direct or indrect. Cursing CCP's hand in Hongkong is fine, but using UK as their example is quite funny.

If that were so that age matters, I presume it would preclude you from being so authorative about many things in China that was well before your time.

Has the Communist regime banned all books about Hong Kong's history that people are kept ignorant?

I am sure that could be so, since ignorance is the ideal way how a repressive and authoratative dictatorship controls its people.

CCP doesn't stop him from expressing his own opinion. Everyone has his or her reason to be unsatisfied with life - CCP has lots more serious problems to face, really don't have time or energy for his concerns unless the majority of chinese has the same concern.

China has problems but sure it knows how to bring demonstrations to a stop e.g. Tienanmen Square, Tibet, Xinjiang and so on. Possibly in Hong Kong that would not be possible because there are too many foreigners and so the ruthless repression will get a huge publicity of the horrors the Chinese Govt perpetuates over its 'wayward' citizens.

 

[Sunder singh]

may chinese r infected with stochom sndrom.
they r happy even in oppersive enviroment or may they themself r ccp member.

 

[mylegend]

The title is inaccurate, for the most part, people are against CCP's rule. Most of protesters really cared about mainland issue such as Tiananmen Square and the mysteries death of Li Wangyang. If the issue is against China, then no one will even care much of those issue.

 

[no smoking]

If they can 'influence' the quasi democracy of Hong Kong, they can 'influence' anything in Hong Kong. 'Influence' is the polite lexicon in the Communist dictionary for 'control'.

In communist dictionry, there is no such word of "influence". That is the invention of democracy, so you can't blame CCP for following the rule of democratic rule.

Since when did the US declare Mao as the enemy of the US? But try taking out a demonstration with a Mao's photo stating that Communism should replace US democracy!

How about since the date Mao declared US as his country's de faco enemy by sending the troops into korea and vietname to fight against USA?
How about since Bin Laden declared his personal responsiblity for 911?

If that were so that age matters, I presume it would preclude you from being so authorative about many things in China that was well before your time.

Yes, that is why I just always repeat the historic knowledge taught by my parents and my grandparents.

Has the Communist regime banned all books about Hong Kong's history that people are kept ignorant?

I am sure that could be so, since ignorance is the ideal way how a repressive and authoratative dictatorship controls its people.

See, my friend, you are making some wrong assumptions again: before 1980, maybe; after 1980, that is a mission impossible.

China has problems but sure it knows how to bring demonstrations to a stop e.g. Tienanmen Square, Tibet, Xinjiang and so on. Possibly in Hong Kong that would not be possible because there are too many foreigners and so the ruthless repression will get a huge publicity of the horrors the Chinese Govt perpetuates over its 'wayward' citizens.

Your assumption is wrong again, or I would say -- outdated!
Before 2000, that maybe true.
After 2000, CCP has changed its policy-from stopping an demonstration to preventing it from escalation.
Generally, CCP prefer negotiating or let the demostration go first and try to calm people down. If the demostration develops to an violent conflct no matter which side, that means some officials drop the ball. You can be sure that someone will lose his position later.
Of course, I bet the indian or western media/tv didn't tell you that.

 

[satish007]

The Muslim women is funny, she doesn't understand what's the posters are protesting, she should use Ray's queen picture.
She need work hard to catch up Ray's level.
glad to see China join the protesting country family like India. (actually HK, but HK is part of China now)
Chinese should have more protesters in other places. CCP should allow protesters protest everything
such as , CCP sucks or return south tibet to China, get out from China, India backstabber.
BTW, looks some HK guys are not very serious, protesters should show some angry.happy protesting does not make sense,
only French do that.

 

[Ray]

In communist dictionry, there is no such word of "influence". That is the invention of democracy, so you can't blame CCP for following the rule of democratic rule.

That is why it is false to believe that there is democratic processes in China, when actually it is an autocratic regime that is a dictatorship in the extreme!

How about since the date Mao declared US as his country's de faco enemy by sending the troops into korea and vietname to fight against USA?
How about since Bin Laden declared his personal responsiblity for 911?

China declares things like petulant children.

But where has the US declared China as the enemy.

What about Bin Laden?

US has merely declared him a criminal to be brought to justice and which they did.

The same way the CCP declared the Gang of Four as criminals!

Yes, that is why I just always repeat the historic knowledge taught by my parents and my grandparents.

You prove my point.

Or have you no faith in your parents and grandparents?

See, my friend, you are making some wrong assumptions again: before 1980, maybe; after 1980, that is a mission impossible.

There is nothing impossible.

Imagine Mao's Ideology was jettisoned overnight! The ideology that the Chinese swore by and even went on to massacre people during the Cultural Revolution!

If that could happen, then anything can happen.

It is not a Tom Cruise movie!

Your assumption is wrong again, or I would say -- outdated!
Before 2000, that maybe true.
After 2000, CCP has changed its policy-from stopping an demonstration to preventing it from escalation.
Generally, CCP prefer negotiating or let the demostration go first and try to calm people down. If the demostration develops to an violent conflct no matter which side, that means some officials drop the ball. You can be sure that someone will lose his position later.
Of course, I bet the indian or western media/tv didn't tell you that.

Yesterday is outdated today.

History isn't.

History that even China cannot deny.