Hong Kong witnessed a massive rally by tens of thousands of people Monday protesting against the Beijing-backed leader Leung Chun-ying and demanding greater freedom to choose their own representative.
The annual rally for democracy comes at a time when Beijing is said to be increasingly meddling in Hong Kong's local affairs.
Expressing dissatisfaction and outrage against the leadership, marchers demanded Leung's resignation as he was picked by a committee of mainly pro-Beijing and pro-business elites, reported AP.
"Hong Kong people have been waiting too long for universal suffrage and for building a democratic city," said Andrew Shum, a member of Civil Human Rights Front.
People in Hong Kong are angered by the rising property prices, which the top leader promised to combat with more affordable housing a year ago.
"I think it is clear that he has not done anything. He gave a lot of promise to Hong Kong people one year ago," said Shum. "However after one year we can't see he has done anything."
Marching from the city's Victoria Park to the financial district of Central, demonstrators were carrying banners which read "Democracy now" and "Down with the Chinese Communist Party"
Hong Kong citizens are commemorating the 16th anniversary of the handover of the city to China by the British government. Beijing agreed to let residents of Hong Kong choose their leader known as the chief executive only after 2017 and the entire legislature by 2020.
However, Hong Kong residents are frustrated with the constant meddling in local affairs and they fear that Beijing might never allow them to choose their leader.
Last year, more than 400,000 had taken part in the protest march, said organizers.
