250,000 people marched through the streets of Hong Kong today, demanding they be able to keep the democratic system enjoyed under British rule. This is not the first time, and will not be the last. Despite the mainland communist hypocrisy — 40 of China’s richest people are worth $26 billion — its economic “liberalization” has not translated into democratic freedoms. From The Canadian Press:

Organizers said the massive protest drew 250,000 people - far exceeding analysts’ forecast of between 50,000 and 100,000. But police put the turnout at 63,000.

Pro-democracy lawmakers and some protesters gathered outside the government’s headquarters after the march. They demanded Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang to immediately respond to calls for a roadmap specifying when and how Hong Kong can have universal suffrage, promised as an eventual goal under the territory’s mini-constitution.

“I can’t think of anywhere else in the world that you can have such large number of people turning out in such a peaceful manner to ask for something which is of their own right,” said Ronny Tong, a lawmaker and march organizer. “Any responsible government owe it to themselves to respond positively to what happened today.”

The big turnout means hopes are faltering for the government to push through a political reform package that critics said was too conservative in the legislature.

To the mainland, “political reform” means full control in Beijing. They might not get what they want, though.

At least 500,000 pro-democracy demonstrators filled the streets of Hong Kong on July 1, 2003. That day marked the 6th anniversary of transfer of control of the city-state from British to Chinese rule. Protestors were out to harangue their appointed (not elected) leader Tung Chee-hwa and his push for Hong Kong’s “legislature” to pass an “anti-subversion bill.” The bill basically would have allowed the city-state’s government to imprison a person for life for “acts of subversion.” This time around, the communists didn’t pull a Tiananmen Square. The Beijing-appointed Hong Kong government peaceably withdrew the anti-subversion bill on September 5, 2003. Another half-million-strong march occurred in 2004.

Looks like the communists have put lipstick on the pig, basically trying to push through “anti-subversion bill,” version 2.0. Hong Kong isn’t buying it:

Retiree K.T. Wong, another marcher, held a cardboard saying, “I’m 75. I want popular elections. Never give up.”

“Beijing will have to consider our views if more people speak up. We have to keep fighting,” Wong said.