Hong Kong protest against subversion draws crowds

HONG KONG -- A new law targeting crimes against the state drew hundreds of thousands of people into the streets of Hong Kong on Tuesday in a protest that overshadowed the sixth anniversary of the handover of the territory from Britain to China.

The protesters marched through the city peacefully to show opposition to anti-subversion legislation, which many fear will be used to suppress free expression and other liberties traditionally available in Hong Kong but nonexistent in China.

"The law is so big and broad that anything we do can be penalized," said Arki So, 24, a bank clerk who was attending his first protest. "It's turning Hong Kong into a prison, and no one will know what to do or what not to do."

March organizer Richard Tsoi said more than 500,000 people turned out, dressed in black and waving signs as they brought much of Hong Kong island to a standstill during the 6 1/2 hour march.

Police said 350,000 people were on the streets at the height of the demonstration.

In either case, it was the largest protest in Hong Kong since 14 years ago, when 1 million shocked residents poured out after Chinese troops crushed the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement on June 4, 1989, leaving hundreds dead.

The march against the anti-subversion legislation drew far more attention than ceremonies marking the 1997 handover of the territory to China.

"This will push Hong Kong toward an era of tyranny," W.C. Mak, a 74-year-old retired nurse, said of the new law.

Most Hong Kong demonstrations involve a tiny group of die-hard activists, and the presence of so many ordinary citizens highlighted concerns that the government is far out of touch with its populace as it pushes the national security bill.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa responded with a statement saying he was concerned about the large number of protesters.

Tung repeated assurances that his government will "continue to take active steps to maintain and safeguard rights and freedoms."

The bill, required under Article 23 of Hong Kong's mini-constitution, will outlaw subversion, sedition, treason and other crimes against the state, with life prison sentences for many offenses. It is expected to be enacted within days.

Many here believe it will lead to mainland-style repression of dissident viewpoints -- a charge the Hong Kong government calls groundless.

Tung insists local freedoms will be preserved.

Many Hong Kong people see the anti-subversion measure as a betrayal of the "one country, two systems" form of government that was promised -- along with Western-style civil liberties -- at the Hong Kong handover.

"My daughter asked me why we have to march," said 36-year-old advertising worker Joanne Chow. "I told her it's for freedom, for our future. It's a tragedy if we have to live in a society where we dare not speak our minds and fear persecution."

Smaller numbers of people voiced support for the law.

Hong Kong fishermen sailed dozens of boats around the harbor, flying the Chinese flag to show their support. A pro-Beijing group staged a carnival and soccer tournament that attracted a few thousand people.

"We have to support the national security law -- I'm Chinese," said one man, Yeung Kin-chung.

In an early morning commemoration of Hong Kong's return to China, helicopters dragged the Chinese and Hong Kong flags through the sky as government leaders, including Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the Hong Kong chief executive stood at attention.

Activists outside torched the flag of the Chinese Communist Party, demanding an end to its monopoly on power in the mainland and scuffling with police.

Wen told political and business elites that Beijing would honor its pledge to allow Hong Kong considerable autonomy to preserve its "unique position and irreplaceable role" within China and the global economy.

Wen was later asked about the anti-subversion bill and told journalists it "absolutely will not affect the different rights and freedoms that Hong Kong people -- including reporters -- enjoy under the law."

Wen left Hong Kong before the march.