Thousands rally in HK over Beijing's tightening grip

FE Team | Published: July 02, 2018 00:29:20

Protesters marching through central Hong Kong on Sunday — AP

HONG KONG, July 01 (Reuters): Thousands of Hong Kong (HK) people braved sweltering heat on Sunday to protest against Beijing's tightening grip over the city.
The former British colony marked the 21st anniversary of its return to Chinese rule.
The protestors included elderly people in wheelchairs, couples with sleeping toddlers and young residents, some of whom waved banners saying: "End one party rule; Against the fall of Hong Kong."
"Now the government is already siding with the Communist Party. Can Hong Kong see any universal suffrage in 20 or 30 year's time? I don't think so," said 13-year-old Joanna Wen, who was accompanied by her father.
Hong Kong is a former British colony that was returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula guaranteeing it a high degree of autonomy and the promise of eventual universal suffrage.