Thousands March for Democracy in Hong Kong

Protesters carry statue of the Goddess of Democracy while marching to Hong Kong government headquarters Saturday, July 1, 2006, as they demand full democracy. Thousands of people march through Hong Kong on Saturday to demand full democracy, as the former British colony marks the ninth anniversary of its return to Chinese rule. Hong Kong was promised broad autonomy when it was returned to China on July 1, 1997 under a "One country, Two systems" formula, but Beijing has ruled out full democracy for the territory for the next few years. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (Kin Cheung - AP)

HONG KONG -- Thousands chanted slogans and marched through Hong Kong's streets in a pro-democracy protest Saturday, while a pro-Beijing parade also drew a big crowd to mark the ninth anniversary of the former British colony's return to Chinese rule.

Police said 28,000 people joined the pro-democracy event, while the organizers estimated that 58,000 attended. The protesters shouted, "Full democracy now!" and carried banners saying "Equality, justice, fight for democracy" as they strolled toward government headquarters.

The turnout was drastically lower than the half-million who marched in 2003 and 2004 to demand the right to choose the territory's leader and entire legislature. A smaller crowd was expected because the economy has been steadily improving and the city's new leader, Donald Tsang, is more popular than his predecessor.

Earlier Saturday, pro-Beijing groups held their own parade that attracted 40,000 people, police and organizers said. The event involved schools, civic groups, and entertainers such as Chinese lion dancers and children dressed in Chinese opera costumes. Hundreds of Chinese soldiers also took part for the first time.

The event was less political and more festive than the pro-democracy march, which mostly involved grass-roots groups and individuals.

Retiree Chen Man-kong, 77, said he has attended the pro-Beijing celebrations ever since the handover on July 1, 1997. "Hong Kong's economy is performing very well," he said. "There is no point to protest."

Hong Kong was promised broad autonomy when it was returned to China under a "one country, two systems" formula, but Beijing has ruled out full democracy for the territory for the next few years.

An 800-member election committee partial to Beijing chooses Hong Kong's leader, and only half of its 60 lawmakers are directly elected.

Many Hong Kongers believe the city is ready for a democratic reform, but Beijing loyalists, especially those in the business community, worry that political changes will create social upheaval and upset the economy.

One of the most prominent marchers in Saturday's rally was popular former official Anson Chan, who in recent weeks has repeatedly urged the public to take to the streets.

"The fact that the economy is looking up does not mean that people have stopped having demands for democracy. The two support and depend on each other," said Chan, an influential politician who was Hong Kong's No. 2 official before retiring in 2001.

March organizer Jo Lee said she believed Chan's celebrity status helped pull in many protesters.