Hundreds in Hong Kong democracy protest

Hundreds of people today demonstrated against Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa, fearing that he will appoint allies to local councils to offset the pro-government party’s losses at last month’s polls.

Clutching signs that said “Return power to the people,” protesters outside the government’s headquarters sang pro-democracy songs and chanted slogans calling for Tung to step down.

Under Hong Kong’s system, Tung can appoint up to 102 members beyond the 400 elected to fill the territory’s 18 councils.

Doing so would give the pro-government Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, or DAB, a big boost following its poor showing in the November 23 polls.

“The appointment system is a distortion of democracy,” said protest organiser Richard Tsoi, who won a seat in the recent contest.

Tung topped off the councils following the last elections in 1999, and government spokeswoman Jacqueline Cheuk said last month he would do so again “as soon as possible”.

Calls for more democracy in this former British colony escalated after 500,000 protesters marched on July 1 against an anti-subversion bill that many feared would curtail freedoms. Beijing regained sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997.

November’s district council contest reflected discontent with the government. But the councils have little power, advising the government on local issues such as rubbish collection.

Organisers said 1,500 people turned out for today’s rally, but the crowd appeared smaller.

The sit-in ended peacefully with a bursting of black balloons, symbolising the appointment system’s lack of transparency.

Although it has Western-style civil liberties, Hong Kong only enjoys partial democracy. Beijing hand-picked Tung and ordinary people vote for just 24 of 60 members of the territory’s Legislative Council.