Asia-Pacific News

Thousands protest against Hong Kong's new leader

Apr 1, 2012, 10:45 GMT

Hong Kong - Thousands of people marched through Hong Kong's main shopping and business district Sunday protesting against the election of the city's new leader and Beijing's alleged involvement in the election.

About 5,000 protestors, some wearing cardboard Chinese tanks and others in wolf-like masks and clothing, took part in the noisy but peaceful demonstration, according to witnesses.

Police and the rally organiser, the Civil Human Rights Front, did not immediately give an estimate of numbers, although the front hoped 10,000 would march.

The tanks represented Beijing's perceived crackdown on democracy after allegedly supporting Leung Chun-ying in the run-up to his election campaign.

Leung, who was elected as Hong Kong's new chief executive last Sunday (March 25), was dubbed 'Wolf' during the election amid fears he would take a hard line when he takes over as the new leader on July 1.

Demonstrators, many holding banners with the Chinese characters for 'mourning' and 'The Wolf is here,' marched from the Hong Kong government offices to Beijing's liaison office in the city bringing traffic to a standstill.

The protest was the first since Leung was elected by a small circle of business leaders and Beijing supporters. Leung secured 689 votes from the 1,193-strong election committee chosen out of Hong Kong's 7 million population.

Leung's opponents believe Beijing will try to derail moves for direct elections in 2017 and full universal suffrage in 2020 once Leung takes office. They also fear the impact of tough security legislation, which will outlaw acts of sedition, which Leung wants to see introduced.

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