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Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters return to streets Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters return to streets
(about 1 hour later)
Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have returned to the streets for their first big rally since mass protests last year.Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have returned to the streets for their first big rally since mass protests last year.
A large police presence was in force to deter protesters from reoccupying key areas of Hong Kong.A large police presence was in force to deter protesters from reoccupying key areas of Hong Kong.
But protesters were not reported to be planning a repeat of the occupations that shut down parts of the city.But protesters were not reported to be planning a repeat of the occupations that shut down parts of the city.
Last year's Occupy demonstrations called for fully democratic elections for the territory's chief executive.Last year's Occupy demonstrations called for fully democratic elections for the territory's chief executive.
China has promised the semi-autonomous territory direct elections in 2017, but ruled that candidates had to be vetted by Beijing.China has promised the semi-autonomous territory direct elections in 2017, but ruled that candidates had to be vetted by Beijing.
Initial estimates suggested around 3,000 protesters marched through the city's upmarket shopping and financial districts, watched by about 2,000 police officers.
Analysis: Carrie Gracie, BBC China editorAnalysis: Carrie Gracie, BBC China editor
How many marchers can Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement muster on the streets? Two months after police cleared the encampment from the heart of the city, today is an important test of strength for a movement which caught the world's attention last September with its youthful energy and idealism but which has since struggled to maintain a united voice and popular support.How many marchers can Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement muster on the streets? Two months after police cleared the encampment from the heart of the city, today is an important test of strength for a movement which caught the world's attention last September with its youthful energy and idealism but which has since struggled to maintain a united voice and popular support.
From the point of view of the demonstrators, the fundamental question is whether Hong Kong's political destiny will be defined by its own citizens or by authoritarian rule from China.From the point of view of the demonstrators, the fundamental question is whether Hong Kong's political destiny will be defined by its own citizens or by authoritarian rule from China.
The guarantees of a high degree of autonomy under the "one country, two systems" formula are being put to the test as political controls on the mainland tighten and Hong Kong's economic leverage diminishes.The guarantees of a high degree of autonomy under the "one country, two systems" formula are being put to the test as political controls on the mainland tighten and Hong Kong's economic leverage diminishes.
Tens of thousands started taking to the streets in September 2014, demanding change. Many demonstrators carried yellow umbrellas - the symbol of the political campaign.
BBC China editor Carrie Gracie, who is at the march, tweeted that police had told her it was "so far so good".
'Wake-up call'
Tens of thousands of demonstrators had taken to the streets in September last year, demanding political change.
There were violent clashes with police, and the final protest camp was dismantled in December.There were violent clashes with police, and the final protest camp was dismantled in December.
One organiser, Daisy Chan, told the AFP news agency the latest protest would show last year's demonstrations were a watershed for Hong Kong. One organiser of the latest march, Daisy Chan, told the AFP news agency it would show that last year's demonstrations were a watershed for Hong Kong.
"In the past years, these citizens were less political than they are right now. The Occupy movement woke people up."In the past years, these citizens were less political than they are right now. The Occupy movement woke people up.
"The rally continues to call out to people to join the democracy movement.""The rally continues to call out to people to join the democracy movement."
However, Lam Woon-kwong of the Executive Council, Hong Kong's top policy-making body, told local radio on Sunday: "You can't threaten the central authorities."However, Lam Woon-kwong of the Executive Council, Hong Kong's top policy-making body, told local radio on Sunday: "You can't threaten the central authorities."
The numbers attending will give a sense of the stomach left for the fight in Hong Kong, the BBC's John Sudworth says. Before the march police had been wary of reports that there were no plans for protesters to reoccupy public areas, issuing a statement saying: "It is believed that those supporting the illegal occupation are likely to seize the opportunity to reoccupy roads which have been now reopened to traffic."
About 2,000 police officers were expected to oversee the event, the South China Morning Post reported.
Police were wary of reports that there were no plans for protesters to reoccupy public areas, issuing a statement saying: "It is believed that those supporting the illegal occupation are likely to seize the opportunity to reoccupy roads which have been now reopened to traffic."