Hong Kong marks 10th anniversary of handover

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.

The city’s chief executive Donald Tsang and his new cabinet were sworn in before Chinese president Hu Jintao at the start of a jam-packed day of events to mark the anniversary of the handover of the former British colony.

But in stark contrast to July 1, 1997 — when the last colonial governor Chris Patten, Prince Charles and then-prime minister Tony Blair were on hand — no high-profile officials from Britain were invited to participate. On that day, British dignitaries sailed out of Victoria Harbour in driving rain, ending 155 years of British rule over Hong Kong and launching a new era for the city as a Chinese territory.

Mr Tsang, a 62-year-old former civil servant, promised greater democracy for Hong Kong as he was sworn in for a second term as leader.

But the president said political change should be “gradual”, stressing that the territory had enjoyed “extensive democratic rights and freedoms” and a “high degree of autonomy” in its first decade under Chinese rule.

“Hong Kong people from all walks of life should close ranks and make every effort to advance their well-being and China’s interests. And they should resolutely oppose any attempts to undermine these interests,” he said.

Since the handover, activists have been calling for full democracy in the city, where citizens do not have the right to choose their own leaders and only half the legislature is directly elected.

The lack of political progress in the global financial hub has sparked mass public protests in the past, with half a million people taking to the streets in 2004.

Yesterday, tens of thousands of demonstrators bearing banners that read “We want democracy” and “One person, one vote” marched to the government’s headquarters.

Hong Kong’s former deputy leader Anson Chan and Cardinal Joseph Zen, the head of the Catholic church in the territory, were among the high-profile figures who joined the demonstration.

Organisers said 68,000 people had taken part, 10,000 more than in 2006, while police said they had counted 20,000.

The government said it would soon publish a green paper on constitutional reform and consult the public on routes towards universal suffrage.