SINGAPORE: Thousands of people took part in a massive rally in Hong Kong on Saturday, demanding an end to cronyism and calling for greater democracy. Activists and others banded together to push for more freedoms and a voice in their government. “This is important for us as a community,” protester Xi Lian told Bikyamasr.com. “We are all Hong Kong and want to end this corruption that lives inside our city.” The protest took place three weeks before a 1,200-member, largely pro-Beijing, committee meets to decide who will be Hong Kong's leader over the next five years. Donald Tsang, who has led Hong Kong since 2005, has come under fire after admitting taking holidays on the private planes and yachts of wealthy Hong Kong and Chinese businessmen. Organizers said 5,300 people took part in Saturday's march. Police estimated turnout at 2,800. Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule in 1997 but still enjoys greater freedoms than mainland China. Half its 60 legislators are elected by the people, but there is no popular vote for the position of chief executive. It was a rare demonstration en masse of calls for greater freedoms and democracy for the former British colony, which has continued to push its economic might in southeast Asia, but has been hit with scandal and dissatisfaction of Beijing. “Everywhere I go, there are people talking. We don't like what the Chinese government is doing to our city. Democracy is important and we want that,” added Lian. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/JCnI6 Tags: Cronyism, Democracy, Hong Kong, Protest Section: East Asia, Human Rights, Latest News
