200,000 IN HK MARCH

Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters took to the streets of Hong Kong demanding more voting rights and less interference from Beijing.

Organisers estimated 250,000 people marched on government buildings in temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit). Police put the figure in the first hour at 90,000.


The demonstrators chanted slogans and held banners calling for universal suffrage and opposition to China's clampdown on democratic aspirations.

Tempers have flared since China ruled in April that ordinary citizens cannot elect the successor to their unpopular leader, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa in 2007. They will not be able to choose their politicians in 2008 either.

Mr Chee-hwa was selected by an 800-person committee loyal to Beijing.

Currently, ordinary citizens choose 30 of the territory's 60 politicians - up from 24 years ago.

The rest are chosen by special interest groups, such as businessmen, doctors and lawyers, who tend to side with Beijing.

Critics say China has reneged on its promise to grant the territory a degree of local autonomy under a handover arrangement dubbed "one country, two systems" agreed with Britain.

The demonstration came on the seventh anniversary of the handover.