Although the opposition remains stuck mainly with the power to criticise, it gained a loud new voice with the stunning election win by Hong Kong's top protester, "Longhair" Leung Kwok-hung, who is known for burning flags and raising a ruckus in his trademark Che Guevara T-shirt.
Several hours after Leung had been declared a winner he launched his latest demonstration, chanting slogans outside government offices this afternoon.
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"Long Hair"
The clumsy police exercise came as New York-based Human Rights Watch released a 40-page report saying that Chinese intimidation aimed at swaying the vote had produced a "toxic" atmosphere over recent months, with China questioning the "patriotism" of its local critics and fears of violence rising. "The past 12 months have seen the most worrying attacks on free expression and association since the 1997 handover," said Brad Adams, head of the organisation's Asia section.
"This appears to be a direct result of Beijing's desire to control the political situation in Hong Kong."
Among the incidents cited were the resignation of popular radio talk-show hosts after they received direct threats from figures linked to mainland authorities and their offices and businesses were vandalised.
Some voters went on radio to report they were being pressured by business associates and employers to vote for pro-Beijing candidates.
Hamish McDonald/The Age(AU) 11.Sep.04
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tophoto: Sinopix
