Low turnout shows democracy is overshadowed by economic issue

Associated Press
2010-01-02

Thousands of Hong Kong residents marched to the Chinese government’s liaison office yesterday demanding that Beijing grant full democracy to the semiautonomous financial hub.

Chanting “One man, one vote to choose our leader” and clutching signs reading “Democracy now,” the demonstrators set off from a crowded street in the heart of the Central financial district.

However, the relatively low turnout for the New Year’s Day protest – police said some 4,600 people took part – showed that Hong Kong’s political opposition faces an uphill battle as it tries to re-ignite the local democracy movement, which has been overshadowed by economic issues. Five pro-democracy legislators plan to resign later this month, hoping to turn the special elections they will trigger into a referendum on democracy.    more …