This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/world/asia/thousands-protest-over-hong-kongs-leader.html

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
In Hong Kong, Rival Protests Are Divided Over Leader In Hong Kong, Rival Protests Are Divided Over Leader
(35 minutes later)
HONG KONG — Thousands of demonstrators in rival marches crowded through Hong Kong’s main shopping district on Tuesday to praise or condemn the city’s chief executive, who appears to retain the confidence of leaders in Beijing despite a series of controversies at home.HONG KONG — Thousands of demonstrators in rival marches crowded through Hong Kong’s main shopping district on Tuesday to praise or condemn the city’s chief executive, who appears to retain the confidence of leaders in Beijing despite a series of controversies at home.
The New Year’s Day marches underlined deep political divisions in Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous territory that Britain returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The New Year’s Day marches underlined deep political divisions in Hong Kong, a semiautonomous territory that Britain returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
Critics of Leung Chun-ying, the chief executive, accuse him of misleading the public on a controversial real estate issue, and of being a puppet installed by Beijing. Many of his critics also favor greater democracy for Hong Kong, where the chief executive is now chosen by a 1,200-member panel packed with Beijing loyalists; the general public elects half the legislature, while the other half is chosen by business leaders and other groups that also tend to follow Beijing’s wishes. Critics of the chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, accuse him of misleading the public on a controversial real estate issue, and of being a puppet installed by Beijing. Many of his critics also favor greater democracy for Hong Kong, where the chief executive is now chosen by a 1,200-member panel packed with Beijing loyalists; the general public elects half the legislature, while the other half is chosen by business leaders and other groups that also tend to follow Beijing’s wishes.
Mr. Leung’s backers, mainly organized by groups with lavish financial support from Beijing, contend that he is beginning to address deep-seated social issues here.  They also tend to be skeptical of democracy as a Western concept that may not be compatible with local culture or with rapid economic development. Mr. Leung’s backers, mainly organized by groups with lavish financial support from Beijing, contend that he is beginning to address deep-seated social issues here. They also tend to be skeptical of democracy as a Western concept that may not be compatible with local culture or with rapid economic development.
Supporters of Mr. Leung roughed up two local journalists at a separate rally on Sunday; many Beijing loyalists accuse Hong Kong journalists of being biased in favor of democracy. But the marches on Tuesday were largely peaceful.Supporters of Mr. Leung roughed up two local journalists at a separate rally on Sunday; many Beijing loyalists accuse Hong Kong journalists of being biased in favor of democracy. But the marches on Tuesday were largely peaceful.
Mr. Leung, who took office as chief executive on July 1, has faced heavy criticism for concealing during last winter’s election campaign that he had secretly expanded his $64 million home without receiving government planning permission or paying real estate fees due on the expansion.Mr. Leung, who took office as chief executive on July 1, has faced heavy criticism for concealing during last winter’s election campaign that he had secretly expanded his $64 million home without receiving government planning permission or paying real estate fees due on the expansion.
Mr. Leung has been widely accused of hypocrisy because he won the election partly by criticizing his opponent, Henry Tang, for the unauthorized construction of a huge basement under a villa owned by Mr. Tang’s wife. That construction was also done without government planning permission, which is difficult to obtain, and without making a large payment to the government, which owns virtually all the land in Hong Kong and collects hefty lease payments based mainly on the square footage of developments.Mr. Leung has been widely accused of hypocrisy because he won the election partly by criticizing his opponent, Henry Tang, for the unauthorized construction of a huge basement under a villa owned by Mr. Tang’s wife. That construction was also done without government planning permission, which is difficult to obtain, and without making a large payment to the government, which owns virtually all the land in Hong Kong and collects hefty lease payments based mainly on the square footage of developments.
Mr. Leung apologized this autumn for concealing his construction  —   he even built a false wall to hide his extension right before running for the territory’s top office. But he pointed out that he had not addressed his own compliance with Hong Kong real estate laws during the campaign. Mr. Leung apologized this autumn for concealing his construction — he even built a false wall to hide his extension right before running for the territory’s top office. But he pointed out that he had not addressed his own compliance with Hong Kong real estate laws during the campaign.
“In fact, in my memory, I did not say I had no illegal structure,” he told the legislature.“In fact, in my memory, I did not say I had no illegal structure,” he told the legislature.
Many Hong Kong residents blame growing immigration and tourism from mainland China for driving housing prices to unaffordable levels, causing overcrowding in local schools and making it hard for young people to find jobs. Mr. Leung has addressed these issues in his first six months in office by imposing steep taxes this autumn on short-term real estate investments by anyone who is not a permanent resident, and by banning local hospitals, starting on New Year’s Day, from scheduling any more births for mainland mothers.Many Hong Kong residents blame growing immigration and tourism from mainland China for driving housing prices to unaffordable levels, causing overcrowding in local schools and making it hard for young people to find jobs. Mr. Leung has addressed these issues in his first six months in office by imposing steep taxes this autumn on short-term real estate investments by anyone who is not a permanent resident, and by banning local hospitals, starting on New Year’s Day, from scheduling any more births for mainland mothers.
The protesters against Mr. Leung appeared somewhat less numerous than at a similar march on July 1, the day that Chinese President Hu Jintao swore in Mr. Leung as chief executive. The police said then that 55,000 had gathered at Victoria Park by the time the march began there, while organizers estimated that 400,000 had participated in the march, including some who joined along the way. The protesters against Mr. Leung appeared somewhat less numerous than at a similar march on July 1, the day that President Hu Jintao of China swore in Mr. Leung as chief executive. The police said then that 55,000 people had gathered at Victoria Park by the time the march began there, while organizers estimated that 400,000 had participated in the march, including some who joined along the way.
There were no immediate estimates of the crowds protesting against Mr. Leung, who called for his resignation with a chant of, “C.Y. Leung, come down off the stage.” Organizers of the protest in favor of Mr. Leung claimed that 60,000 people had participated.There were no immediate estimates of the crowds protesting against Mr. Leung, who called for his resignation with a chant of, “C.Y. Leung, come down off the stage.” Organizers of the protest in favor of Mr. Leung claimed that 60,000 people had participated.
Continued support for Mr. Leung from Beijing makes it unlikely that he will be forced to resign. When the legislature took up a no confidence measure three weeks ago, a majority of the lawmakers elected by the general public voted against Mr. Leung, but a majority of lawmakers representing business leaders and other social groups supported Mr. Leung. To pass, a majority of both groups was required. Continued support for Mr. Leung from Beijing makes it unlikely that he will be forced to resign. When the legislature took up a no-confidence measure three weeks ago, a majority of the lawmakers elected by the general public voted against Mr. Leung, but a majority of lawmakers representing business leaders and other social groups supported him. To pass, a majority of both groups was required.
In separate meetings with Mr. Leung nearly two weeks ago in Beijing, President Hu and Xi Jinping, who became the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party in November and is slated to become China’s next president in March, each said separately that they “affirm” support for Mr. Leung and his administration.   In separate meetings with Mr. Leung nearly two weeks ago in Beijing, President Hu and Xi Jinping, who became the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party in November and is slated to become China’s next president in March, each said separately that they “affirm” support for Mr. Leung and his administration.
“You have a heavy workload and it is exhausting,” Mr. Xi said. “The central government affirms your work.”“You have a heavy workload and it is exhausting,” Mr. Xi said. “The central government affirms your work.”
Sprinkled among the protesters against Mr. Leung were a few people carrying the colonial Hong Kong flag that flew over the city during British rule. Beijing officials have asked Hong Kong people not to display the flag, which they regard as a symbol of past foreign domination and humiliation of China. Sprinkled among the protesters against Mr. Leung were a few people carrying the colonial Hong Kong flag that flew over the city during British rule. Beijing officials have asked Hong Kong residents not to display the flag, which they regard as a symbol of past foreign domination and humiliation of China.
Steveny Chan, a young woman who identified herself only as an office worker and carried a roughly 3-foot by 2-foot colonial flag, said that she did not favor the return of Hong Kong to British rule. She said that she was displaying it as a nostalgic symbol of a time when the Hong Kong economy seemed to offer more opportunities for young people, and when the people of Hong Kong seemed to enjoy growing autonomy to decide their own fates. Steveny Chan, a young woman who identified herself only as an office worker and carried a roughly 3-foot by 2-foot colonial flag, said that she did not favor the return of Hong Kong to British rule. She said that she was displaying the flag as a nostalgic symbol of a time when the Hong Kong economy seemed to offer more opportunities for young people, and when the people of Hong Kong seemed to enjoy growing autonomy to decide their own fates.
“We’re missing the golden old days of Hong Kong,” she said.“We’re missing the golden old days of Hong Kong,” she said.