HONG KONG yesterday marked 10 years under Chinese rule with pomp and ceremony, but tens of thousands of pro-democracy campaigners also gathered to call for sweeping political reform.

Legislators began a final debate today on a political reform package that pro-democracy politicians have vowed to reject because it provides no timetable for when Hong Kong will become fully democratic.

HONG Kong newspapers said yesterday that the massive turnout at a pro-democracy rally in the Chinese territory indicates demands for far-reaching reforms are more pressing than ever and urged the government to respond.

Pressure mounted for Hong Kong and Beijing leaders to respond to calls for full democracy as tens of thousands of protesters marched today, demanding the right to pick their leaders.

Hong Kong Disneyland held its opening ceremony today, marking Mickey Mouse’s biggest thrust into China – a market the US company hopes will flood the theme park with tourists from the world’s most populous nation.

Many Hong Kong residents are ready to give Mickey Mouse a big hug for bringing a new Disneyland to their city – but others would like to give the black grinning rodent a punch on the nose.

Hong Kong’s new leader Donald Tsang celebrated the eighth anniversary of the city’s handover to China today, saying the public had become more patriotic. Police dragged away a rowdy politician who interrupted Tsang’s speech with pro-democracy slogans.

Hong Kong’s new leader was sworn in today at a ceremony in Beijing, completing the first leadership change in the former British colony since it returned to Chinese rule eight years ago.

China today appointed veteran civil servant Donald Tsang as Hong Kong’s next leader, saying he will promote prosperity and stability in the Asian financial capital.

Career civil servant Donald Tsang was declared the winner of Hong Kong’s leadership race today, but he got few words of congratulations from editorial writers, who accused him of arrogantly steamrolling his rivals in an undemocratic campaign.

Veteran civil servant Donald Tsang effectively won Hong Kong’s leadership race today, filing papers which showed he had the solid backing of an election committee that picks the Chinese territory’s leaders.

Tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents were set to hold a candlelight vigil today to mark the 16th anniversary of China’s bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

China’s parliament enacted a law today authorising force to stop rival Taiwan from pursuing formal independence, prompting anger on the self-governing island and warnings from Japan of a rise in regional tensions.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa was named a vice chairman of a high-level Chinese government advisory panel today, apparently confirming his departure as the territory’s leader.

Hong Kong’s leader Tung Chee-hwa is expected to resign tomorrow according to news reports, as high-ranking Chinese officials heaped praise on him in an apparent send-off after seven rocky years in office.

Taiwan today reported its biggest increase in new cases of SARS in nearly a week while a Toronto high school was closed and its 1,700 students were in quarantine amid renewed fears over the virus in Canada’s largest city.