Tens of thousands of people have gathered at a large Hong Kong park to mark the brutal crackdown on pro-democracy campaigners in Beijing 24 years ago.

Hong Kongers today planned to remember the anniversary of the bloody crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing 18 years ago at a candlelight vigil in the former British colony.

Hundreds of people braved the rain and marched in downtown Hong Kong today to commemorate the bloody crackdown on the Tiananmen Square democracy protests in Beijing 18 years ago.

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’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.

A record 1.7 million Hong Kongers turned out today for an election that sent a fresh contingent of pro-democracy opposition politicians to the legislature.

China lashed out at Britain today for criticising its decision to hold back on democracy in Hong Kong, a former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Thousands of Hong Kong people marched today in an impassioned plea for full democracy mixed with anger at the territory’s unpopular leader.

Pro-democracy figures claimed fresh momentum today after tens of thousands of people rallied on the 15th anniversary of the bloody Tiananmen Square massacre, but Beijing’s local allies denounced the protest as a ploy to seek independence.

China has told Britain and the US to mind their own business over its refusal to allow full democracy for Hong Kong in the near future.

Hong Kong should move slowly on introducing more democracy in order to ensure China’s political stability, a former British colonial official said today.

The World Health Organisation removed Hong Kong from its list of SARS-infected areas today, but warned the territory to keep up its guard against future outbreaks that might put it back on the list.