Hundreds of pro-democracy protestors gathered in central Hong Kong Saturday in response to the news that Beijing had rejected calls for full democracy by 2012, according to dpa. The group of around 800 marched to the convention centre where mainland officials were to brief community representatives on the decision by China National People's Congress (NPC) ruling out the direct election of Hong Kong's leader until 2017 and of lawmakers until 2020. The decision, announced Saturday, backed up a blueprint for political reform drawn up by Hong Kong's China-appointed Chief Executive Donald Tsang. The news came as no surprise to many democratic activists in Hong Kong, who had hoped for direct elections by 2012 and who took to the streets in protest Saturday. Emily Lau, a spokesperson for the pro-democracy camp, said they were very angry at the decision to block direct elections in 2012, which she said was the overwhelming desire of many in Hong Kong. "It is very sad to see the NPC Standing Committee coming out time and time again to block the wishes of Hong Kong people," she said. UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the announcment would be a disappointment to all those who wanted to see full democracy in Hong Kong as soon as possible. "As the Hong Kong SAR Government has itself recognised, this includes the majority of Hong Kong's own people who have clearly said that they wish to elect the Chief Executive by universal suffrage in 2012," he said. "I remain of the view that both China and Hong Kong's interests will be best served by allowing Hong Kong to move to full democracy as soon as possible," Miliband added.
