Hong Kong protesters march as key vote looms

(MENAFN- Arab News) Thousands of people took to the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday to protest against electoral reforms approved by Beijing to choose the city's next leader, the beginning of several days of demonstrations before the reforms go to a vote.

The controversial electoral roadmap, which lays out how Hong Kong's next leader should be chosen, goes for debate at the legislature on Wednesday and will be voted on by the end of the week.

It is the culmination of a fraught chapter which saw tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters bring parts of the city to a standstill late last year.

Those rallies were sparked by a ruling from Beijing that candidates in the city's first ever public vote for its leader in 2017 must be vetted.

Pro-democracy lawmakers in the semi-autonomous Chinese city have vowed to vote down the election package, which sticks to Beijing's ruling. Currently the chief executive is elected by a 1,200-strong pro-Beijing committee.

Around 3,500 people joined the march through central Hong Kong from Victoria Park to the legislative council, organizers said.

With temperatures soaring to 30 degrees Celsius and humidity at almost 80 percent, numbers were well below organizers' hopes, they had said they expected 50,000 to join.

Civic party leader Alan Leong said people had stayed at home because they trusted pro-democracy lawmakers to vote down the government's proposal.

Beijing has proposed a direct vote for Hong Kong's next leader in 2017, but only pre-screened, pro-Beijing candidates will be allowed to stand.

Hong Kong's pro-democracy protesters say that makes a mockery of China's pledge to eventually grant universal suffrage in the territory.

Protesters, some wearing yellow shirts and carrying yellow umbrellas, symbols of their pro-democracy movement, marched from Victoria Park in the bustling shopping district of Causeway Bay to government headquarters.

"We want to say 'no' to the government's proposal," said student Cleo Chui, 21.

"This is not what Hong Kong people want. The election committee does not represent the voice of Hong Kong - it's pre-screened. That's not real universal suffrage."

Pro-democracy activists demanding free elections staged sit-ins late last year, paralysing parts of the financial hub for weeks to press their demand for free elections.

Daisy Chan of Civil Human Rights Front, which organised Sunday's march, said it was the last chance to fight for democracy.

Hong Kong's legislature is due to begin debate on the package on
Wednesday with a vote due by the end of the week.

Supporters of the Chinese government, some waving the Chinese flag,
dotted the demonstration route. The two sides shouted insults at each other as scores of police stood by.

There was no violence.

Hong Kong reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997, under a "one country, two systems" formula that gives it substantial autonomy and freedoms, with universal suffrage promised as an "ultimate goal".

But Beijing fears Hong Kong's aspirations for full democracy spilling over into the mainland.

The number of protesters was less than the 50,000 organisers had hoped for on a sweltering, humid day with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

At least 5,000 officers will be on duty when the vote takes place, senior police sources have told Reuters, adding that the demonstrations could be much bigger and more angry if the package is passed.