Thousands rally for Hong Kong democracy

Thousands marched in Hong Kong yesterday to demand a greater say in how their future leaders will be chosen, expressing fears that China will limit long-awaited political reforms.
"Democracy will prevail" read some banners as protesters sang and shouted slogans against the government of the semi-autonomous Chinese city, less than one month after the start of an official public consultation on a future electoral system.
"Because we are Hong Kong citizens, we must vote," said Sharon Tang, a 49-year-old trading company employee, adding that residents of the former British colony have the intelligence to choose their leaders.
Mainland Chinese tourists took pictures of the march as protesters chanted "End one-party rule!"
China, which took back Hong Kong in 1997, has promised that its people will be able to vote in 2017 for their next chief executive.
Currently the leader is elected by a 1,200-strong pro-Beijing committee.
But many fear that China will control the choice of candidates to secure the election of a sympathetic official.
One protester had red tape wrapped around her arms and covering her mouth to symbolise an inability to express one's views.
The marchers left Victoria Park -- named after the 19th century British monarch who oversaw Hong Kong's seizure from China -- in mid-afternoon and were to stage a rally in the Central financial district afterwards.
A huge poster depicting the city's current chief executive Leung Chun-ying with an egg plastered on his head was hung over the park lawn.
Organisers said more than 50,000 people were expected to take part in the annual New Year's Day protest, but turnout appeared lower than in some previous years.
Police estimated just 6,100 marchers left the park, although others were expected to join along the route.
Other issues, such as calls for more labour rights and better urban planning, were also raised.