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Hong Kong prepares for torch tour Hong Kong torch relay kicks off
(about 2 hours later)
Crowds are gathering in Hong Kong for the Olympic torch relay, some with Chinese flags and others with pro-Tibetan protest placards. Thousands of people have turned out in Hong Kong to watch the Olympic torch parade through the streets.
The authorities have denied access to some activists planning protests during Friday's eight-hour relay. Many people waved Chinese flags and cheered, significantly outnumbering small groups of protesters holding pro-Tibet or pro-democracy placards.
The actress and campaigner, Mia Farrow, was allowed in, but others have reportedly been refused entry. About 3,000 police are on duty for the eight-hour parade, the first stop on the torch's journey through China.
Those barred from entry to Hong Kong were thought to be campaigners for the Free Tibet movement. Ahead of the relay, the authorities denied access to several activists intending to protest.
Three members of the Students for a Free Tibet campaign told journalists they had been put on a flight from the Special Administrative Region of China earlier this week. Freedom of speech is protected in the territory by the Basic Law - the mini-constitution agreed before the end of British rule in 1997.
The group's Executive Director, Lhadon Tethong said in a webcast: "Tibetans will do everything in their power to protest during the torch relay." That, says the BBC's Vaudine England, has put Hong Kong officials in a bind: they are required to allow for protests, yet are also under a heavy obligation to Beijing to ensure a smooth event.
Demonstrations over China's human rights record have dogged international legs of the relay - sparking anger in China and a wave of popular support for the Beijing Olympics.
Red prideRed pride
Thousands of Hong Kong citizens and visitors from the mainland started lining the relay route on Friday morning, as a light rain fell.Thousands of Hong Kong citizens and visitors from the mainland started lining the relay route on Friday morning, as a light rain fell.
They wanted some reassurance that we were not here to disrupt the torch relay Mia Farrow People were being encouraged to wear red to show their support for the torch and for China. Some pro-Tibet protesters gathered along the relay route
People were being encouraged to wear red to show their support for the torch and for China.
But one protester carried a sign reading "Olympic torch for democracy", while others carried the Tibetan flag.But one protester carried a sign reading "Olympic torch for democracy", while others carried the Tibetan flag.
About 3,000 police are on duty in the former British colony. Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang kicked off the relay at a ceremony by the harbour.
"We are a world in a city, where different people with different beliefs and different views have thrived in a spirit of diversity, tolerance and respect," he said.
The torch would blaze "a trail of unity and peace" as it passed through China in the coming months, he said.
During the relay, the torch will pass by the Olympic Equestrian Centre.During the relay, the torch will pass by the Olympic Equestrian Centre.
After Hong Kong, the torch will go through more than 100 more towns and cities in China before ending up at the Olympic stadium in Beijing on 8 August for the start of the Olympic Games. It will then go to Macau and begin its journey through more than 100 towns and cities in China on its way to the Olympic stadium in Beijing.
Freedom of speech is protected by the Basic Law - Hong Kong's mini-constitution agreed before the end of British rule in 1997. Protesters see the parade in Hong Kong as the last chance to put pressure on China over its human rights record.
Many thought Ms Farrow might be turned away at the airport when she arrived to give a speech critical of China's ties with Sudan. After reaching the immigration desk to get her passport stamped, officials escorted her away to discuss her plans. But in the last few days, eight activists have been denied entry to Hong Kong, prompting protests from western diplomats.
"They wanted some reassurance that we were not here to disrupt the torch relay, which of course we are not," Ms Farrow told reporters. Three members of the Students for a Free Tibet campaign told journalists they had been put on a flight from Hong Kong earlier this week.
She said that immigration officials gave her a statement warning her not to disrupt law and order. Actress and campaigner Mia Farrow was allowed in, however. She is due to give a speech critical of China's ties with Sudan later today.
Ms Farrow is due to make a speech calling on China to do more to end the conflict in Darfur. After reaching the immigration desk to get her passport stamped, officials escorted her away to discuss her plans.
"They wanted some reassurance that we were not here to disrupt the torch relay, which of course we are not," Ms Farrow told reporters on Thursday.