This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-31079840

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters return to streets Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters return to streets
(about 3 hours later)
Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have returned to the streets for their first big rally since mass protests last year. Thousands of pro-democracy activists have returned to the streets of Hong Kong 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 demonstrators from taking over 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 did not carry out 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. Pro-democracy legislators - who hold about 40% of the seats in the Legislative Council - strongly oppose the move.
Protester Julia Choi told the AP news agency that pro-democracy candidates "would not even be nominated, so this is pseudo-universal suffrage, we do not have the rights to elect who we want".
March organisers say that 13,000 people took part in the rally, but police say that it was just over half that figure.
The protesters were watched by about 2,000 police officers as soon as they began their march through the city's upmarket shopping and financial districts.
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.
Many demonstrators carried yellow umbrellas - the symbol of the political campaign. Many demonstrators carried yellow umbrellas - the symbol of the political campaign. A large banner caricaturing Hong Kong's Chief Executive CY Leung read: "Reject fake democracy, we want real universal suffrage."
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''Wake-up call'
Tens of thousands of demonstrators had taken to the streets in September last year, demanding political change.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 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. 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 and people had now woken 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."
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."
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."