By Tan Ee Lyn
HONG KONG, July 1 (Reuters) – New Hong Kong leader Leung
Chun-ying was sworn into office on Sunday by Chinese President
Hu Jintao for a five-year term in which he will confront
challenges ranging from human rights to democracy after a
tumultuous year of transition and protest.
Security was tight at the same harbourfront venue where the
British handed Hong Kong to back to China exactly 15 years ago,
with hundreds of police, many with dogs, making a solid ring
fence to ensure protests were out of sight and earshot.
“This is really taking things to the extreme,” said cab
driver Lee Fongshu, who was forced to drop his
passenger more than half a kilometre from the flag-raising site.
“Hong Kong isn’t like the United States. We don’t have guns
and weapons here. Surely President Hu knows Hong Kong people
wish to express their views and he knows all our protests have
been very peaceful.”
Tens of thousands of protesters were expected to hit the
streets after the ceremony over a variety of issues including
perceived China meddling in Hong Kong’s affairs and slowing the
city’s moves towards full democracy.
China has promised the direct election of Hong Kong’s leader
in 2017, but many are sceptical. Other issues angering the
public are include human rights, censorship, corruption and
pollution, though Sunday’s ceremony was held under a sunny, blue
sky.
(Additional reporting by James Pomfret, Venus Wu and Bobby Yip;
Editing by Nick Macfie)
