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Mass umbrella rally in Hong Kong Mass umbrella rally in Hong Kong
(about 1 hour later)
Pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong are holding a mass rally demanding the right to elect the territory's highest official and legislature by 2012.Pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong are holding a mass rally demanding the right to elect the territory's highest official and legislature by 2012.
The chief executive is chosen by a panel of 800 selectors, many of whom heavily favour Beijing, and only half of the legislature is directly elected.The chief executive is chosen by a panel of 800 selectors, many of whom heavily favour Beijing, and only half of the legislature is directly elected.
The protest comes just as three months of consultation on political reform for Hong Kong ends on Wednesday.The protest comes just as three months of consultation on political reform for Hong Kong ends on Wednesday.
The former British colony was handed to Chinese control in 1997.The former British colony was handed to Chinese control in 1997.
Thousands of people gathered in Victoria Park where they took part in a mass unfurling of yellow or blue umbrellas marked with 2012, the earliest possible date for universal suffrage to be introduced. Thousands of people gathered in Victoria Park where they took part in a mass unfurling of yellow or blue umbrellas, to form the shape 2012, the earliest possible date for universal suffrage to be introduced.
By-election tussleBy-election tussle
The BBC's Vaudine England in Hong Kong says campaigners from the Democratic Movement hope the fun of the umbrella demonstration will encourage people to express their views on reform.The BBC's Vaudine England in Hong Kong says campaigners from the Democratic Movement hope the fun of the umbrella demonstration will encourage people to express their views on reform.
An official green paper has been asking the public for its opinion about electoral reform - how to define it, when it should happen and how.An official green paper has been asking the public for its opinion about electoral reform - how to define it, when it should happen and how.
Democrats are worried the government will choose to avoid confrontation with Beijing by compromising on a later date for reform.Democrats are worried the government will choose to avoid confrontation with Beijing by compromising on a later date for reform.
Rival candidates in a separate by-election scheduled for December, which is also being seen as a vote for or against democracy, are using Sunday's umbrella demonstration as a chance to campaign.Rival candidates in a separate by-election scheduled for December, which is also being seen as a vote for or against democracy, are using Sunday's umbrella demonstration as a chance to campaign.
Pro-democracy candidate Anson Chan will help lead the march, while the China-backed Regina Ip has brushed it off as a gimmick.Pro-democracy candidate Anson Chan will help lead the march, while the China-backed Regina Ip has brushed it off as a gimmick.