While most Americans were focused on Iraq and the 9-11 commission, events in the rest of the world didn't stop. In Hong Kong protest marked Beijing's "claification" of the agreement made on the return of HK. In another time, a visit by a US Vice President might be seen as a force towards more democracy. With Cheney ...
Hong Kong press split on protest
Newspapers in Hong Kong have expressed divergent views of Sunday's huge protest march in the territory.
The protest was in reaction to Beijing's announcement last week that it would have the ultimate say on the process by which Hong Kong elects its leader and legislature
Pro-Beijing outlets and those that traditionally take a more independent line disagree even about the turnout.
In its report on the demonstration, the Hong Kong edition of Beijing's China Daily cites the police estimate that 9,000 took part - and suggests that even this might be an overstatement:
"Another source close to the organiser said no more than 7,000 citizens joined the procession," it says.
By contrast, the tabloid-style Apple Daily stresses the organisers' figure of 20,000 protesters.
"Larger turnout than expected shows demand for democracy and strong opposition to interpretation of Basic Law - 20,000 take to the streets", declares its front-page headline.
'Frustration'
The headline in the South China Morning Post similarly states: "Frustration over dashed hopes for democracy comes to a head".
The paper avoids committing itself to an exact turnout figure, but its report highlights the demonstrators' mood.
"Thousands of protesters took to the streets in a strong show of opposition to the Basic Law interpretation which critics fear will delay Hong Kong's progress to full democracy," it says.
"Tempers flared as police tried to stop people from walking off a footpath 50 metres from the central government's liaison office."
Editorial comment on the protest is similarly divided.
'Protest fatigue'
Still focusing on the turnout, the Beijing-backed Wen Wei Po believes it was "far lower than the organisers had declared in advance".
"This shows that more and more residents are tired of and have abandoned the dispute and wish for rationality and harmony in society," it declares.
"We must be especially vigilant against a tiny minority of people who are stirring up trouble to achieve their political objectives," it warns.
The Apple Daily editorial, however, calls on both Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and Beijing to heed the protest.
'No barriers'
"The Hong Kong people's demands for democracy expressed through these large rallies are extremely clear and strong," it believes.
Both the local and central authorities "should earnestly and respectfully listen to such demands and take measures to let the Hong Kong people practise comprehensive democracy as soon as possible, and not set up barriers to comprehensive general elections", it concludes.
The broadsheet Ming Pao takes a similar view.
It foresees more petitions and rallies in the next few months and advises Mr Tung and the local police on how to deal with them.
"When they are facing streams of demonstrators and different opinions, they should let them through rather than block their way, so as to avoid unnecessary friction and conflict," it says.
news.bbc.co.uk
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