Hong Kongers defy Beijing

Hong Kong citizens cast their ballots in an unofficial referendum on democratic reform yesterday, as booths opened across the territory in a poll that has enraged Beijing and drawn nearly 650,000 votes since it opened online.
Tensions are growing in the former British colony over the future of its electoral system, with increasingly vocal calls from residents to be able to choose who can run for the post of chief executive.
Hong Kong's leader is currently appointed by a 1,200-strong pro-Beijing committee. China has promised direct elections for the next chief executive in 2017, but has ruled out allowing voters to choose which candidates can stand.
Beijing and Hong Kong officials have dismissed the poll as illegal.
But participation since voting began online Friday has beaten all expectations -- despite a major cyberattack that the organisers have blamed on Beijing.
Thousands of voters, some toting umbrellas in the pouring rain, turned out yesterday to physically cast their ballots at the 15 polling booths set up around the city.