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Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters return to streets Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters return to streets
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of pro-democracy activists have returned to the streets of Hong Kong 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 demonstrators from taking over key areas of Hong Kong. But the number of protesters - put by organisers at 13,000 but by police at half that figure - was far lower than the earlier demonstrations.
But protesters did not carry out a repeat of the occupations that shut down parts of the city. Their key demand is fully democratic elections for the territory's leader.
Last year's Occupy demonstrations called for fully democratic elections for the territory's chief executive. A large police presence was in force to prevent demonstrators from occupying key areas of Hong Kong.
But the protesters did not carry out a repeat of the occupations that shut down parts of the city for more than two months last year.
Candidate vetting
Last year's Occupy demonstrations at their peak were attended by tens of thousands of people from all walks of life. There were later violent clashes with police, and the final protest camp was dismantled in December.
One organiser of the latest march, Daisy Chan, told the South China Morning Post that although the turnout was lower than expected it "only shows that Hong Kongers are no longer satisfied with conventional ways of protest" and people were taking up "new ways to pressure the government".
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.
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.
Pro-democracy legislators - who hold about 40% of the seats in the Legislative Council - strongly oppose the move.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 could Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement muster on the streets? Two months after police cleared the encampment from the heart of the city, today was 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.
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".
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."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."
'Wake-up call' But speaking on local radio on Sunday, Lam Woon-kwong of the Executive Council, Hong Kong's top policy-making body, warned protesters: "You can't threaten the central authorities."
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.
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.
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."