China Marks Decade in Hong Kong

Protesters Seek Full Democracy

By William Foreman
Associated Press
Sunday, July 1, 2007; A19

HONG KONG, June 30 -- Chinese leader Hu Jintao inspected hundreds of troops gripping rifles Saturday in Hong Kong, and pro-democracy demonstrators scuffled with police as the former British colony prepared to mark the 10th anniversary of its return to China.

The display of military force, which also included helicopters and ships, was just one of many events to pump up patriotic feelings ahead of Sunday's celebration.

Before Hu joined a dinner banquet at a luxury hotel, about 100 protesters demanding more democracy for Hong Kong tried to march to the venue, but were stopped a few blocks away by a wall of police. Chanting "Power to the people!" and "Build a democratic China!" the marchers tried to push their way through, with little success.

Since British rulers left on July 1, 1997, China has tried to encourage people here to consider themselves Chinese citizens -- not "Hong Kongers" distinct from their mainland compatriots. A fireworks show Sunday night was expected to spell out "Chinese people" in red over the city's famous harbor.

But a survey by the University of Hong Kong said in June that 55 percent of respondents identified themselves as "Hong Kong citizens" or "Chinese Hong Kong citizens."

Hu on Saturday said all Hong Kongers "should follow the call of loving the motherland and loving Hong Kong, close ranks, uphold China's national interests."

Hu planned to leave Sunday before pro-democracy groups hold an annual street protest in the afternoon. The activists and lawmakers are demanding the right for Hong Kong voters to directly elect their leader and entire legislature.

After 156 years of British rule, the plan was for Hong Kong to return to China under a "one country, two systems" formula.

But Chinese rulers have declined to give Hong Kong full democracy. Its leader is selected by an 800-member committee dominated by figures loyal to Beijing. Only half of the legislature is directly elected, while the other half is chosen by professional and special interest groups.

Associated Press writer Sylvia Hui contributed to this report.