Mass protests in Hong Kong over China's 15-year rule

More than 100,000 residents took the streets yesterday to protest against Chinese rule on the 15th anniversary of the former British colony’s return to Beijing (Getty Images)

More than 100,000 Hong Kong residents marched through the streets yesterday to protest against Chinese rule on the 15th anniversary of the former British colony's return to Beijing.

The protest was designed as a message of defiance to the visiting Chinese premier Hu Jintao, who was greeted by Hong Kong's new chief executive Leung Chun-ying ((below left, with Mr Hu), that Hong Kong values its autonomy and does not want to be a puppet of Beijing.

"Hong Kong has freedoms and we have the right to protest. Why do you stop us from walking?" said a councillor and democracy activist, Lee Cheuk-yan. During Mr Hu's speech, a heckler who called for an end to one-party rule and dictatorship in China was led away by police.