Hong Kong protesters diversify

An annual speech by Hong Kong's chief is rarely cause for note. But after another surprisingly sizable and diverse "people power" march here - some 100,000 residents on Jan. 1 called for greater political rights - the embattled Tung Che-hwa will be in the hot seat Wednesday when he gives his New Year policy address.

The peaceful Jan. 1 march, festooned with anti-Tung banners and winding through the city all afternoon on a day better known for lounging on the couch, is yet another indication that the democracy drama in Hong Kong that began last July is still quite alive.

That puts Mr. Tung in the prickly role of trying to please Chinese leaders, worried about the stirrings in both Hong Kong and Taiwan, without creating deeper unhappiness among the large mainstream white-collar cohort that has taken to the streets of this city.

Both the size and rhetoric of the New Year crowd suggest marchers meant to "send a message," as a small trading firm owner put it, for Tung to begin outlining steps toward constitutional reform in China's special autonomous region, including direct elections for the chief executive by 2007, and for the legislature by 2008. In reform circles in Hong Kong, leaders are actively preparing for a series of moves, in line with the Basic Law that governs the city, that they say can only end with a decision by the Standing Committee in Beijing for what protesters chanted repeatedly: "universal suffrage."

"The chief executive appointed by Beijing is not governing Hong Kong very well," said a smiling engineer with a cloth knapsack and a touch of grey in his hair. "We want our city under the control of someone we choose. We can't replace Tung, and we are not happy about that. We want something more like California. If you don't like the leader, you can replace him."

Whether Tung will answer in sympathy with the growing numbers on the street is unclear. The chief executive has made no comment about the Jan. 1 march. Tung is China's chosen leader. Beijing is reportedly concerned about high-profile restlessness in Hong Kong just as nearby Taiwan is preparing a controversial referendum that smacks of independence - something vociferously opposed in Beijing - to be held along with Taiwan's national elections in March.

In December, after a huge defeat of Tung allies in routine district council elections here, Tung paid a visit to Beijing. He emerged stony faced from meetings. Shortly thereafter, via China's official media, Xinhua, and through four legal opinions by mainland experts, it appeared that China was taking a tough line, denying the need for changes in Hong Kong's political process.

Two weeks ago, Tung, without the consultation desired by democrats, selected 102 new political appointees. Most are sympathetic to his administration. The act was seen as a direct rebuff to the democracy movement, and to the message sent by voters in November. It is one reason the New Year's march was so large, according to University of Hong Kong pollsters.

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