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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| HK march calls for more democracy | HK march calls for more democracy |
| (2 days later) | |
| Tens of thousands of people have marched in Hong Kong to push for more democracy on the 12th anniversary of the city's transfer to Chinese rule. | Tens of thousands of people have marched in Hong Kong to push for more democracy on the 12th anniversary of the city's transfer to Chinese rule. |
| Hong Kong residents cannot directly elect the territory's chief executive or half of the legislative members. | Hong Kong residents cannot directly elect the territory's chief executive or half of the legislative members. |
| Earlier, Chief Executive Donald Tsang led celebrations to mark the resumption of Chinese rule after 156 years of British colonial control. | Earlier, Chief Executive Donald Tsang led celebrations to mark the resumption of Chinese rule after 156 years of British colonial control. |
| He said that Hong Kong had come through a "challenging year". | He said that Hong Kong had come through a "challenging year". |
| In sweltering heat, a column of people marched from Victoria Park to the government's headquarters. | In sweltering heat, a column of people marched from Victoria Park to the government's headquarters. |
| Numbers fell short of the 100,000 anticipated by the organisers. | Numbers fell short of the 100,000 anticipated by the organisers. |
| Police estimated the crowd at about 26,000 people as the march began, although organisers said the crowd had swelled later to 76,000. | Police estimated the crowd at about 26,000 people as the march began, although organisers said the crowd had swelled later to 76,000. |
| Beijing influence? | Beijing influence? |
| The rally has become an annual event at the 1 July handover anniversary, organised by pro-democracy legislators and activists. | The rally has become an annual event at the 1 July handover anniversary, organised by pro-democracy legislators and activists. |
| The protesters included many young people demanding "one person, one vote" and others supporting a variety of causes. | The protesters included many young people demanding "one person, one vote" and others supporting a variety of causes. |
| With perseverance and determination, and most importantly with the all-out support of our country, I am sure we will again prove our resilience and mettle Donald TsangHong Kong Chief Executive Disquiet at Hong Kong status quo | With perseverance and determination, and most importantly with the all-out support of our country, I am sure we will again prove our resilience and mettle Donald TsangHong Kong Chief Executive Disquiet at Hong Kong status quo |
| The biggest contingent was calling for universal suffrage in the selection of the chief executive and legislature by 2012, says the BBC's Vaudine England in Hong Kong. | The biggest contingent was calling for universal suffrage in the selection of the chief executive and legislature by 2012, says the BBC's Vaudine England in Hong Kong. |
| Beijing has said this will not happen before 2017 at the earliest. | Beijing has said this will not happen before 2017 at the earliest. |
| A 796-member Beijing-backed election committee currently chooses the chief executive. | A 796-member Beijing-backed election committee currently chooses the chief executive. |
| Half of the legislature is popularly elected, while the rest is chosen by interest groups. | Half of the legislature is popularly elected, while the rest is chosen by interest groups. |
| Some of the protesters were worried that Beijing's representatives in Hong Kong may be exerting undue influence over the territory at the expense of its government. | Some of the protesters were worried that Beijing's representatives in Hong Kong may be exerting undue influence over the territory at the expense of its government. |
| Under the principle of "one country, two systems", China agreed to give Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy and to preserve its economic and social systems for 50 years from the date of the handover. | Under the principle of "one country, two systems", China agreed to give Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy and to preserve its economic and social systems for 50 years from the date of the handover. |
| 'Challenges' | 'Challenges' |
| Among the demonstrators were investors hurt in the global financial crisis who feel the government has let them down with inadequate financial regulation. | Among the demonstrators were investors hurt in the global financial crisis who feel the government has let them down with inadequate financial regulation. |
| Environmental activists carried "wanted" posters, describing Mr Tsang as a "climate fugitive". | Environmental activists carried "wanted" posters, describing Mr Tsang as a "climate fugitive". |
| Some marchers held banners calling for action to protect the local public broadcaster, RTHK, from government reforms. | Some marchers held banners calling for action to protect the local public broadcaster, RTHK, from government reforms. |
| Mr Tsang presided over official celebrations in the morning that featured the flags of Hong Kong and China being simultaneously hoisted. | Mr Tsang presided over official celebrations in the morning that featured the flags of Hong Kong and China being simultaneously hoisted. |
| "Whilst the financial tsunami has impacted heavily on economies around the world, the threat of a new strain of influenza has also kept every government on high alert," he said. | "Whilst the financial tsunami has impacted heavily on economies around the world, the threat of a new strain of influenza has also kept every government on high alert," he said. |
| "During this current set of challenges, we are confident we will be able to revitalise our economy, take good care of our people, and fight against the flu pandemic." | "During this current set of challenges, we are confident we will be able to revitalise our economy, take good care of our people, and fight against the flu pandemic." |
| A parade featuring acrobats and children dressed in Chinese imperial-era costumes then walked through the streets of eastern Hong Kong. | A parade featuring acrobats and children dressed in Chinese imperial-era costumes then walked through the streets of eastern Hong Kong. |