On Tuesday, China faced a large challenge to its authority. Tens of thousands marched in a demonstration for democracy.
"The Hong Kong government is now controlled by the Chinese government," said building surveyor Daniel Cheng, according to Reuters. "My mom said not to be arrested, to be careful. I will try, but I think I should do what I can for Hong Kong, my colleagues, my classmates, my friends."
July 1st has been an annual day of protest. This year, officials said that 98,600 people joined the protest. It was a peaceful, with crowds holding banners and posters. In solidarity, two student groups planned sit-ins. Police numbering 200 stood outside of the offices of the Hong Kong leader, while some declared that they want the city’s leader, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, to step down. Some of them chanted, “Our own government, our own choice," according to the Associated Press.
Almost 800,000 people voted for democracy in an unofficial referendum last month. Chinese Communist leaders have said that they will allow Hong Kongers to vote for the city’s leader by the year, 2017.