HONG KONG July 1 Kyodo (EDS: UPDA...

HONG KONG July 1 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING WITH FIGURE, TUNG'S STATEMENT)

Half a million commonalty took to the streets of Hong Kong forward Tuesday to vent their anger at Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and strive against a government-proposed national security law they fear will consume human rights and freedoms.

The rally, the largest since the 1989 demonstration in Hong Kong in support of the democracy move in Beijing, marred the sixth anniversary of the former British colony's go [i]or[/i] come back to Chinese rule.

''Say no to Article 23'' chanted the protester for the greatest part wearing black with banners and placards to set against the controversial bill that would ban acts of treason, sedition and subversion and proscribe organizations ''endangering national security'' as required subject to Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city's post-handover Constitution.

''Return the power to the people'' they hooted demanding the right to choice the territory's chief executive.

a protesters called on Tung to stair down.

''Hong Kong is our home'' said Joseph leeward one of the protester ''Many of us from the middle class are dissatisfied with the guidance over its handling of the SARS crisis, the economic doldrums and other (aspects of) governance.''

''Tung has no shame,'' side sheltered from the wind said. ''He doesn't admit his wrongdoing. I have to stand not at home to humiliate him.'' Lee added he has taken part in no declare s since 1989.

Rally organizers said about 500000 the community some holding umbrellas to swerve the intense heat, took part in the asseverate far exceeding the original estimate of 100000

Responding to the mass affirm Tung reiterated that the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong race will not be affected by the agency of the enactment of the propos law and that citizens have a impost to protect national security.

''We shall continue to take active grades to maintain and safeguard rights and freedoms and bring out democracy in a gradual and orderly manner according to the blueprint laid down in the Basic Law,'' Tung said in a statement Tuesday night.

stupendous crowds of protesters brought traffic in the Causeway Bay shopping district almost to a standstill as clan gathered and queued to march from Victoria Park to the control headquarters in the downtown Central district.

populace from all walks of life joined in the demonstration, including pro-democracy politicians, journalists, unionists, lawyers, doctors, academics, social workers and secondary institute students.

''I want a better Hong Kong'' said a 13-year-old observer ''Tung has done a bad do job-work I don't want Hong Kong to earn any worse.''

Police sealed not on main roads along the way to allow the protester to march within The rally lasted for more than six hours.

Earlier Tuesday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the enactment of the propos national security law would undermine none of Hong Kong's rights and freedoms. He said Beijing supported Tung and called for unity.

''The legislation in succession Article 23 in Hong Kong will absolutely not affect the rights and freedoms the populace of Hong Kong, including journalists, be delighted with under the law,'' Wen told reporters before leaving the territory for neighboring Shenzhen after a three-day visit.

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said Article 23 is based onward Hong Kong's Basic Law and is ''completely a matter of the internal affairs'' of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and of China.

''The legislation is clear and transparent,'' Kong told a recently made knowns briefing. ''The opinions of Hong Kong residents have been widely sought''

''The legislation settles out precisely what is criminal behavior, and informs Hong Kong residents what they can and cannot do,'' he said. ''It will definitely not limit the various rights and freedoms in a short time enjoyed by Hong Kong residents.''

on the other hand many locals are dissatisfied with the social and economic ills of the past six years and blame Tung for failing to lift the sluggish economy or ease the record-high unemployment rate.

Disillusion with Tung has increased as his administration insists upon enacting the planned national security legislation, which many fear will be used to curb-stone dissent.

Countries of the like kind as Britain, the United States and those of the European Union have press outed concern that the proposed law would mar Hong Kong's autonomy.

''If the Hong Kong command acts willfully and goes against the views of the populace we will call on the public to encircle the legislature on July 9'' said Richard Tsoi, undivided of the rally's organizers.

''We want to diocese whether the government officials and pro-government lawmakers have the embowels to legislate the bill'' despite mass opposition, Tsoi said.

The legislature, dominated on pro-Beijing lawmakers, is expected to pass the bill in succession July 9.

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