Democracy for Hong Kong

AP: Tens of Thousands March in Hong Kong---

HONG KONG - Pressure mounted for Hong Kong and Beijing leaders to respond to calls for full democracy in this Chinese territory as tens of thousands of protesters marched Sunday, demanding the right to choose their leaders.

Outside the government's headquarters, protesters demanded Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang respond immediately to calls for a roadmap specifying when and how the territory can have universal suffrage, promised as an eventual goal under its mini-constitution.

"I can't think of anywhere else in the world that you can have such large number of people turning out in such a peaceful manner to ask for something which is of their own right," said Ronny Tong, a lawmaker and march organizer.

Organizers said the protest drew 250,000 people — far exceeding analysts' forecast of between 50,000 and 100,000. Police put the turnout at 63,000.
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Some analysts say Beijing is stalling on democratic reforms because the Communist leadership fears that it would lose control of Hong Kong's government — which under a democracy would care more about answering to the public.

First Hong Kong. Then the rest of China.