Huge Anti Government Demo in Hong Kong

A massive 1st of July Protest demonstration is still under way in
Hong Kong.

15 years after the Handover to China this is one of the biggest
demonstrations in many years; possibly 500.000 people.
Fuelled by frustrations about the non-elected leadership and the
growing gap between rich and poor.
Many young demonstrators were waving the former Hong Kong
colonial flag and even Maggie Thatcher came back in the picture.
This time as the Brit who betrayed Hong Kong to China.

© Kees Metselaar 1/7/2012

Anti CY Leung Demo

Yesterday's pro-democracy demonstration of thousands against the March 25 election of Leung Chun-ying, 57 by a 1,200-strong pro-Beijing election committee as the new Hong Kong Chief Executive. Some were dressed up in little red riding hoods as innocent victims as CY's nickname is the Wolf. Others dressed up as a mainland Chinese tanks in a reference to his reported commentts advocating a crackdown on Tiananmen pro-democracy supporters. More on my website here.

Xanana Out, Ramos Horta Maybe In

East Timor is having its first presidential election since independence in 2002.
Incumbent President Xanana Gusmao is stepping down and the present Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta is the front runner.
Here Both of them in 1999, Ramos Horta, lower photo, in Hong Kong and Xanana just before his release from prison in Jakarta.

© Kees Metselaar

Do not forget Aung San Suu Kyi.

Here with the press during her first release from house arrest in her lake-side home in Rangoon in 1995.
Nothing much has changed. She is still or again under house arrest and the ruling junta tries to ignore and dismiss her.
Despite that Aung San Suu Kyi remains a relevant and uniting political force in the country.

© Kees Metselaar 1995