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AFP
HONG KONG
HUNDREDS gathered in Hong Kong on Friday to mark the fourth anniversary of the mass pro-democracy Umbrella Movement rallies as concerns grow that freedoms are disappearing under an assertive Beijing.
The subdued gathering comes days after the Hong Kong government banned a political party which promotes independence, calling it a threat to national security.
Britain and the US expressed concern over the move and rights groups warned it was an assault on the semi-autonomous city's freedoms.
Hong Kong enjoys rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech, but those are increasingly under threat as Beijing seeks to quash any challenge to its sovereignty.
Leading pro-democracy campaigner Joshua Wong attended the event on Friday and said he would continue to push for Hong Kong's freedoms by raising awareness overseas, despite waning public momentum behind the movement at home since the rallies failed to win political reform.
"All we hope to do is to generate more pressure on China,"he told AFP.
Wong and other democracy campaigners have launched a new think tank 'Civil Hub' to appeal for international help.
Leading pro-democracy figures will speak on the sidelines of Britain's Conservative Party Conference this weekend in Birmingham.
