Hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong citizens, defying Beijing's objection to greater democracy in the former British colony, rallied on July 1 to voice their demand. 

The demonstrators marched some four kilometres under the sweltering heat from Victoria Park in the main shopping area of Causeway Bay to the government headquarters in the Central business district.

"Return power to the people. Fight for democracy," chanted the crowd who were all dressing in white in unison. Many were holding umbrellas to screen themselves from the scorching sun in one of the largest demonstrations in Hong Kong.

This was the second massive protest in two consecutive years on the day that marks Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule in 1997. Beijing has promised a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong, but is reluctant to allow the territory's population of 6.8 million to directly elect their government leader and lawmakers.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa was selected by an 800-strong committee handpicked by Beijing, while only half of the 60 seats in the legislature will be returned by direct elections in September. 

Most of the Hong Kong citizens want a faster pace of democratisation by having the right to choose the chief executive as soon as 2007 and all the
legislators in 2008. 

But Beijing ruled against such change in Hong Kong's electoral systems in a landmark interpretation of the Basic Law, the territory's post-handover constitution, in April. The Chinese leaders argued that Hong Kong was not politically mature enough to elect its leaders and stressed on a gradual and orderly reform process.

Many people in Hong Kong were disappointed and angry. They saw no reason for any delay on the pace of democracy in this southern Chinese
special administrative region. Many believe that if the Chinese central government continues to restrict the democratic rights of Hong Kong citizens,
the people here will feel that they are not fully respected.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) issued a statement on the eve of the march, urging the governments of China and Hong Kong to work with the people of the territory to introduce a truly democratic system based on universal suffrage.

"July 1 is not a threat; it is an opportunity. It is not a challenge to stability and prosperity, but a commitment to maintaining the values and institutions
that have made Hong Kong what it is today," the AHRC said. 

"A democratic political system promotes transparency and accountability. It lends credibility and legitimacy. By withholding democracy from the people of Hong Kong, the Chinese and Hong Kong governments are only sowing the seeds of instability and its negative economic consequences by spawning anger and frustration without any institutional outlet," the human rights group warned.

The AHRC said Hong Kong people were ready to elect their government leader and legislators as the city possessed all the necessary attributes for a democracy to function and flourish. "It has a free press and respect for the other necessary freedoms of expression, assembly and association. It has an independent judiciary, the rule of law and an educated population," it said.

The rally organisers estimated 530,000 people took part in the march this year, higher than expected and more than last year's half a million. The police, however, put the figure at only 200,000. Despite the discrepancy, the mass participation still surprised many here. One participant said although more people had been aware of the situation in Hong Kong and because of the success of last year's march, they hoped to make
a difference by joining the march.

The protest was held orderly and peacefully. "All of us want to show we care for the future of Hong Kong and that democracy is important for Hong
Kong's future," another demonstrator said.

Reacting to the march, Tung said he understood the people's demand, yet insisted on reforming the political system according to the timetable set by Beijing. "To those who have participated in the rally and to all my fellow citizens of Hong Kong, I clearly hear your views.

I understand your aspirations," said the Hong Kong leader.

"I hear your concern on our governance. Although there has been substantial improvement, I recognise there is still room for further improvement and we will keep at it. I also hear your aspirations on democracy. We will take forward constitutional development with the ultimate aim of universal suffrage, in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress, the provisions of the Basic Law as well as the interpretation and the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress," Tung said.

On July 1 last year, the Hong Kong people marched to express their opposition to a proposed legislation on national security under Article 23 of the Basic Law. They feared the bill, if passed, would infringe civil liberties and impose more restrictions on freedoms. They also vented their anger on the Hong Kong government under Tung's poor leadership. The government was forced to withdraw the proposed draconian law soon after the march.