Thousands march in democracy protest

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.

Organisers said the massive protest through Hong Kong streets drew 250,000 people – far exceeding analysts’ forecast of between 50,000 and 100,000. But police put the turnout at 63,000.

Pro-democracy lawmakers and some protesters gathered outside the government’s headquarters after the march. They demanded Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang respond to calls for a roadmap specifying when and how Hong Kong can have universal suffrage, promised as an eventual goal under the territory’s mini-constitution.

“I can’t think of anywhere else in the world that you can have such large numbers of people turning out in such a peaceful manner to ask for something which is of their own right,” said Ronny Tong, a lawmaker and march organiser.

”Any responsible government owe it to themselves to respond positively to what happened today.”

The big turnout means hopes are faltering for the government to push through a political reform package that critics said was too conservative in the legislature.

Lee Wing-tat, head of Hong Kong’s top opposition party, the Democratic Party, said Tsang “should reflect directly to the state leaders that there is a huge turnout today, so they should rethink the package.”

Tsang said in response to the protest that he has heard people’s demands but an immediate timetable for Hong Kong to have full democracy is “not achievable”.

“I’ve heard their voice. I have felt their feelings and I share their pursuit,” Tsang told a news conference later.

“Both the central government and this administration are actively leading this community towards universal suffrage in an orderly fashion.”

“I am 60 years of age. I certainly want to see universal suffrage taking place in Hong Kong in my time,” he said.

Tsang defended the package, which calls for doubling the size of the 800-member committee that picks Hong Kong’s leader and expanding the 60-member legislature, as a step toward greater democracy.

“There is little scope for me to change. But I wish within the little scope I have, I will see what I can do to perfect the package. But it will be on limited scale and it will not affect the timetable of a resolution of this matter in the Legislative Council,” Tsang said.

Dozens of protesters, including some opposition lawmakers, decried Tsang’s response and refused to leave the government offices, saying they would stay until Tsang comes out to meet them.

Opposition against the proposed political reforms has renewed momentum for the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, which has slowed after Beijing rejected quick political reforms last year.

A wide range of citizens, including families, elderly and office workers, took part in today’s march and were cheered by onlookers on the streets.