HONG KONG (UCAN) -- A mock referendum and a rally for democracy on July 1 have allowed participants to express their hope for universal suffrage to elect Hong Kong's chief executive and members of the Legislative Council.

That day, Frances Leung Siu-chun, a Catholic laywoman, told UCA News she has attended the annual rally with her daughter, husband and elder sister since the event began in 2003. Even if there is no hope for universal suffrage by 2007 or 2008, she said, she thinks she should continue to fight for it.

China's National People's Congress Standing Committee announced previously that universal suffrage shall not apply in the election of Hong Kong's third chief executive in 2007, nor to Legislative Council elections in 2008.

Leung said that a mark ticked on her hand during the mock referendum has symbolic meaning. "It is a gesture, or rather an attitude, to tell citizens that this should be the path toward which they are heading," she explained.

The rally, organized by Civil Human Rights Front, marks the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover of sovereignty to China on July 1, 1997. The theme of the 2005 rally was: "Strive for universal suffrage; say no to government-businessmen collaboration." The same alliance of more than 50 civil groups also conducted the mock referendum.

A half-hour before the rally began, Christians who support democracy gathered for a prayer meeting. The Hong Kong Catholic Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission organized that event with Protestant groups.

Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong told media that though he had not publicly asked Catholics to attend the July 1 rally, he supports it as a long-term campaign for democracy. He explained during the pre-rally prayer meeting: "There is need to continue the rally because different demands still exist in society. We hope to inspire those in power to have the courage to understand and trust in democracy."

Chong Yiu-kwong of the Civil Human Rights Front told UCA News on June 30 the mock referendum was meant to promote universal suffrage and foster the idea of "one person one vote" in democratic life as "nothing frightening, nor does it suggest independence." The referendum result, he said, signals what people feel about universal suffrage and provides an experience that could help them run such an exercise more quickly when it is finally allowed.

The crowd held banners of various appeals as it moved from Victoria Park to government headquarters on Hong Kong Island. Besides pro-democracy groups, the marchers included Filipino and women groups who expressed a hope that their own special rights will be protected.

Before this year's rally took place, arguments arose about whether it lost its focus and was becoming an endorsement of gay rights because homosexual groups were asked to walk at the front of the march. Given that decision, some Protestant groups urged their people not to join the rally.

However, Lina Chan Lai-na, executive secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong Catholic diocese, explained to UCA News on June 27 that "we are in the same boat," and as long as the event expresses the common struggle for democracy, it does not matter who leads the marchers.

Peter Wallace Preston, professor of the Government and Public Administration Department at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, told UCA News different hopes expressed by different rally participants do not mean they have no common purpose. "Their hopes circle around the demand for a more democratic government and universal suffrage," he said.

Of those who joined the 2005 rally, Chu Kong-ping and others took part with their families for the third year. The 14-year-old Catholic, who came with his parents and younger brother, told UCA News, "My family and I still come because we hope for universal suffrage." Chu said his father was eager to go to the mock referendum and the family cast their vote for democracy.

Both Leung and Chu expressed a hope that Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, Hong Kong's new chief executive, will listen to public opinion, especially the views expressed by the less privileged.

Noting that a heart of love means more than attending an act of worship, Leung said she hopes Tsang, a Catholic, will act according to the Gospel. Tsang may be unable to help much, she observed, but the chief executive's attitude should show his willingness. "I disapprove of what he said to the central government, that he would do what they say," she asserted, because that "means he would only be working for those in power."

The first July 1 rally in 2003 brought 500,000 people to the streets to oppose a law to be enacted under Article 23 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini constitution. Many local people regard such an anti-subversion law as a threat to their freedom. The government later delayed the legislation and the political atmosphere improved, but the 2004 rally still drew more than 200,000 people. According to organizers, however, only 21,000 took part this year.

Also on the morning of July 1 this year, some pro-Beijing groups organized a parade tour along a similar route, aiming to remind people that Hong Kong's handover to Chinese sovereignty should be a day of celebration.

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(Accompanying photos available at here)