Pro-democracy activists clashed with police yesterday as Hong Kong staged low-key celebrations in torrential rain to mark the fourth anniversary of its return to Chinese rule.
Some 500 senior officials and dignitaries, led by Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (
Unlike in previous years, no mainland Chinese leaders attended the event in the center, where the handover from British administration took place in similarly appalling weather in 1997.
Around 1,000 residents turned out to watch the raising of the flags of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and mainland China as well as a fly-past by government helicopters.
Several members of the radical April 5th Action Group clashed with police near the venue, demanding that the Beijing-appointed Tung step down and called for direct elections for the post of chief executive.
One female police officer was slightly injured in the scuffles. There were no arrests.
Tung's five-year term is due to end next year, but reports say Beijing is firmly behind his seeking a second term.
The leader of the pro-democracy group, Leung Kwok-hung, slammed police for their reaction, claiming security was "far more severe than last year" despite the non-attendance of a mainland leader. The acting deputy commander of Wanchai police, Stephen Cheung, told local radio that police acted to protect the rights of citizens participating in the ceremony.
On last year's anniversary, some members of the public had clashed with demonstrators, he said.
Later yesterday, around 450 people from various pro-democracy groups marched to the government headquarters to call for the direct election of the chief executive.
Protesters held up banners that said "Elect not select the chief executive" and chanted slogans such as "one man, one vote."
Legislator Lee Cheuk-yan said the protesters were "demanding the right to choose our own government, to choose our own political leader" rather than have him selected by a Beijing-appointed 800-member Election Committee.
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