Hong Kong Protesters March for Democracy
New Year rally presses claims for a directly elected leader and greater autonomy from Beijing
Thousands
of pro-democracy protesters march in the streets to demand universal
suffrage and urge Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to step
down in Hong Kong on Jan. 1, 2014
Thousands took to the streets
of Hong Kong on Wednesday as residents of the Chinese Special
Administrative Region continue to demand fuller democracy and greater
autonomy from Beijing.
China gained control of the former British colony in 1997, and later
set the goal of direct elections for the city’s leader by 2017 at the
earliest. Many Hong Kongers now treat this provisional date as a firm
promise, and consider any possible deferral as backtracking by Beijing.
Also at issue is the vetting of candidates. Protesters at the annual
New Year’s Day democracy rally held banners and shouted slogans to
demand that candidates be nominated without Beijing’s approval.
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