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Serious Tens of thousands of pro-democracy supporters march in Hong Kong on China's national day
- Thread starter Patriot
- Start date
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Tens of thousands marched in China-ruled Hong Kong on Sunday in an "anti authoritarian rule" march that called for the resignation of the city's top legal official over the recent jailing of young democracy activists.
The march, an annual fixture over the past few years on China's October 1st National Day, comes at a time of nascent disillusionment with Hong Kong's once vaunted judiciary.
"Without democracy, how can we have the rule of law," the crowds yelled as they marched through sporadic downpours, from a muddy pitch to the city's harbor-front government headquarters.
Organizers estimated about 40,000 people joined the march.
The march, an annual fixture over the past few years on China's October 1st National Day, comes at a time of nascent disillusionment with Hong Kong's once vaunted judiciary.
"Without democracy, how can we have the rule of law," the crowds yelled as they marched through sporadic downpours, from a muddy pitch to the city's harbor-front government headquarters.
Organizers estimated about 40,000 people joined the march.
Many protesters, some clad in black, expressed dismay with Hong Kong's Secretary of Justice, Rimsky Yuen, who Reuters reported had over-ruled several other senior public prosecutors to seek jail terms for three prominent democrats: Joshua Wong, Nathan Law and Alex Chow.
"We believe he (Yuen) has been the key orchestrator in destroying Hong Kong's justice," said Avery Ng, one of the organizers of the rally that drew a coalition of some 50 civil and political groups.
Around one hundred Hong Kong activists are now facing possible jail terms for various acts of mostly democratic advocacy including the "Umbrella Revolution" in late 2014 that saw tens of thousands of people block major roads for 79 days in a push for universal suffrage.
"We believe he (Yuen) has been the key orchestrator in destroying Hong Kong's justice," said Avery Ng, one of the organizers of the rally that drew a coalition of some 50 civil and political groups.
Around one hundred Hong Kong activists are now facing possible jail terms for various acts of mostly democratic advocacy including the "Umbrella Revolution" in late 2014 that saw tens of thousands of people block major roads for 79 days in a push for universal suffrage.
Rule of law
While the October 1st march is a regular annual fixture, this was the first time the rule of law has been scrutinized like this, with the judiciary -- a legacy of the British Common Law system -- long considered one of the best in Asia and a cornerstone of Hong Kong's economic success.
"It's like mainland (Chinese) laws have intruded into Hong Kong," said Alex Ha, a teacher of classical guitar, who was walking alone in the crowd.
The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index last week downgraded Hong Kong's judicial independence ranking by five spots to number 13 in the world.
In response, however, Yuen stressed at the time that Hong Kong's judiciary remained strong and independent.
"We cannot rely on subjective perceptions, we have to look at the facts," he told reporters.
While the October 1st march is a regular annual fixture, this was the first time the rule of law has been scrutinized like this, with the judiciary -- a legacy of the British Common Law system -- long considered one of the best in Asia and a cornerstone of Hong Kong's economic success.
"It's like mainland (Chinese) laws have intruded into Hong Kong," said Alex Ha, a teacher of classical guitar, who was walking alone in the crowd.
The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index last week downgraded Hong Kong's judicial independence ranking by five spots to number 13 in the world.
In response, however, Yuen stressed at the time that Hong Kong's judiciary remained strong and independent.
"We cannot rely on subjective perceptions, we have to look at the facts," he told reporters.
Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with the promise that Beijing would grant the city a high degree of autonomy and an independent judiciary under a so-called "one country, two systems" arrangement.
But over two decades of Chinese rule, differences have deepened between Communist Party leaders in Beijing and a younger generation of democracy advocates, some of whom are now calling for the financial hub to eventually split from China.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Carrie Lam spoke of a need for unity during a speech to assembled dignitaries at a National Day reception to mark the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China by the Communists.
"As long as we capitalize on our strengths, stay focused, seize the opportunities before us and stand united, I am sure that Hong Kong can reach even greater heights," she said.
(James Pomfret / Reuters)
[Images via Reuters]
But over two decades of Chinese rule, differences have deepened between Communist Party leaders in Beijing and a younger generation of democracy advocates, some of whom are now calling for the financial hub to eventually split from China.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Carrie Lam spoke of a need for unity during a speech to assembled dignitaries at a National Day reception to mark the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China by the Communists.
"As long as we capitalize on our strengths, stay focused, seize the opportunities before us and stand united, I am sure that Hong Kong can reach even greater heights," she said.
(James Pomfret / Reuters)
[Images via Reuters]
Thousands march in Hong Kong against China 'repression' after grim 2018
Pro-independence supporters take part in an annual New Year's Day march in Hong Kong, China, January 1, 2019.
PHOTO: Reuters
REUTERS
Jan 02, 2019
FacebookTwitterGoogle+Email
HONG KONG - Thousands of demonstrators marched in Hong Kong on Tuesday to demand full democracy, fundamental rights, and even independence from China in the face of what many see as a marked clampdown by the Communist Party on local freedoms.
Over the past year, countries such as the United States and Britain have expressed concerns about a number of incidents they say have undermined confidence in Hong Kong's freedoms and autonomy under Chinese rule.
These include the jailing of activists, a ban on a pro-independence political party, the de facto expulsion of a Western journalist and barring democracy activists from contesting local elections.
The New Year's day march included calls to restart stalled democratic reforms and to fight "political repression" from Beijing.
"Looking back at the year that passed, it was a very bad year ... The rule of law in Hong Kong is falling backwards," said Jimmy Sham, one of the organizers.
Organizers said the march drew 5,500 people, revised down from an earlier estimate of 5,800, while police said 3,200 people were on the streets at the march's peak.
The former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula, with the promise of a high degree of autonomy and universal suffrage as an "ultimate aim".
While authorities have clamped down hard on the city's fringe, pro-independence movement, that didn't deter around 100 independence activists from joining the march, holding up banners and chanting for the city to split from China.
China considers Hong Kong to be an inalienable part of its territory, and denounces "separatists" as a threat to national sovereignty, even though the movement has not garnered much popular backing in the city.
"There will be continuous suppression on the Hong Kong independence movement, but the movement will grow stronger and stronger," said Baggio Leung, an independence leader who said several of his members had been harassed by purported "triads" or gangsters, before the march.
READ ALSO
Hong Kong cardinal defends Occupy protest leaders in court
Last year, in an unprecedented move, Hong Kong authorities banned a political group, the Hong Kong National Party, for its pro-independence stance on national security grounds.
A western journalist, Victor Mallet, was also effectively expelled from Hong Kong, soon after he hosted a talk at a press club by the head of the National Party.
Mallet's visa denial, which the government has so far refused to explain, was criticised by some foreign governments and the American Chamber of Commerce.
Some protesters carried "wanted" posters of Hong Kong's top legal official, Theresa Cheng, criticising a decision to drop a corruption investigation into Hong Kong's former pro-Beijing leader Leung Chun-ying, without a satisfactory explanation.
"I'm afraid the pressure will continue," said Joseph Cheng, a veteran rights campaigner and retired professor who was raising money for a "justice" fund for activists facing hefty legal fees for several trials.
"We're going to face a few difficult years, but we must stand firm ... Unlike in mainland China, at least we can still protest."
Pro-independence supporters take part in an annual New Year's Day march in Hong Kong, China, January 1, 2019.
PHOTO: Reuters
REUTERS
Jan 02, 2019
FacebookTwitterGoogle+Email
HONG KONG - Thousands of demonstrators marched in Hong Kong on Tuesday to demand full democracy, fundamental rights, and even independence from China in the face of what many see as a marked clampdown by the Communist Party on local freedoms.
Over the past year, countries such as the United States and Britain have expressed concerns about a number of incidents they say have undermined confidence in Hong Kong's freedoms and autonomy under Chinese rule.
These include the jailing of activists, a ban on a pro-independence political party, the de facto expulsion of a Western journalist and barring democracy activists from contesting local elections.
The New Year's day march included calls to restart stalled democratic reforms and to fight "political repression" from Beijing.
"Looking back at the year that passed, it was a very bad year ... The rule of law in Hong Kong is falling backwards," said Jimmy Sham, one of the organizers.
Organizers said the march drew 5,500 people, revised down from an earlier estimate of 5,800, while police said 3,200 people were on the streets at the march's peak.
The former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula, with the promise of a high degree of autonomy and universal suffrage as an "ultimate aim".
While authorities have clamped down hard on the city's fringe, pro-independence movement, that didn't deter around 100 independence activists from joining the march, holding up banners and chanting for the city to split from China.
China considers Hong Kong to be an inalienable part of its territory, and denounces "separatists" as a threat to national sovereignty, even though the movement has not garnered much popular backing in the city.
"There will be continuous suppression on the Hong Kong independence movement, but the movement will grow stronger and stronger," said Baggio Leung, an independence leader who said several of his members had been harassed by purported "triads" or gangsters, before the march.
READ ALSO
Hong Kong cardinal defends Occupy protest leaders in court
Last year, in an unprecedented move, Hong Kong authorities banned a political group, the Hong Kong National Party, for its pro-independence stance on national security grounds.
A western journalist, Victor Mallet, was also effectively expelled from Hong Kong, soon after he hosted a talk at a press club by the head of the National Party.
Mallet's visa denial, which the government has so far refused to explain, was criticised by some foreign governments and the American Chamber of Commerce.
Some protesters carried "wanted" posters of Hong Kong's top legal official, Theresa Cheng, criticising a decision to drop a corruption investigation into Hong Kong's former pro-Beijing leader Leung Chun-ying, without a satisfactory explanation.
"I'm afraid the pressure will continue," said Joseph Cheng, a veteran rights campaigner and retired professor who was raising money for a "justice" fund for activists facing hefty legal fees for several trials.
"We're going to face a few difficult years, but we must stand firm ... Unlike in mainland China, at least we can still protest."
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