[Onthebarricades] CHINA: Protests mark handover anniversary

[Andy]

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Away from the festivities, pro-democracy lawmakers gave a stinging rebuke to China's rule at midnight on the balcony of the city's historic legislature in Central district, re-enacting events of a decade ago.

"We want democracy. We want democracy," they shouted to a small crowd clutching umbrellas below.

Ten years ago to the minute, many of the same people had mounted the same balcony and chanted the same slogans as Prince Charles and then Chinese president Jiang Zemin shook hands and presided over the historic handover ceremony not far away.

"Democracy is not any nearer to the goals stipulated in the basic law -- universal suffrage," said veteran democracy campaigner and legislator Martin Lee. "In fact it seems it is even more remote than 10 years ago.

Polls show that most Hong Kongers favour democracy as soon as possible.

In Taipei, a representative of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which is banned on the mainland but legal in Hong Kong, said over 800 practitioners were barred from entering the city in the past week, including more than 500 who flew to Hong Kong but were turned back at the airport.

Hong Kong's immigration department could not be reached for an immediate comment, but officials in the past have declined to comment on specific cases and said the department reserves the power to decide who is allowed into the territory and who is not.

Tsang has promised to "resolve" the universal suffrage issue during his new term. He and his cabinet face other problems too such as worsening air pollution and a widening rich-poor gap in Asia's financial hub.
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