Thousands protest in Hong Kong over China suppression

HONG KONG, Oct 01 (AFP): Several thousand marched in Hong Kong on Monday against suppression by Beijing as fears grow that freedoms in the semi-autonomous city are seriously under threat.

The pro-democracy protest comes a week after Hong Kong banned a pro-independence party on the grounds it was a threat to national security, the first time a political party has been prohibited since the city was handed back to China by Britain in 1997.

The emergence of an independence movement calling for Hong Kong to split from China has incensed Beijing as it emphasises the importance of territorial integrity and has led to a crackdown on political expression.

Leading pro-democracy campaigner Joshua Wong said he feared his party, Demosisto, could be next because it promotes self-determination for Hong Kong.

One high-profile Demosisto candidate was already barred from a recent by-election.