Defying China, thousands of pro-democracy protesters take to streets of Hong Kong

HONG KONG: Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters took to the streets of Hong Kong hours after Chinese President Hu Jintaoswore in the city’s new leader and urged him to resolve what he called “deep disagreements” among the islanders. 

The by-now annual July 1 demonstration – marking the end of British colonial rule in 1997 – was the biggest in years as people took advantage of Hong Kong’s laws that make it the only place in China where public protests are permitted.