HONG KONG - Similar to last year, during yesterday’s July 1st parade, half a million people marched on the street to call for democracy in Hong Kong. Hong Kong newspaper Mingpao published an editorial today that said that the Hong Kong Government and China’s Central Government should understand that improving Hong Kong’s economy by itself is not enough to take care of Hong Kong people’s desire for democracy. Hong Kong’s Special Administrative Government and China’s Central Government must listen to the people, develop democracy and improve Hong Kong’s governing process in order to avoid a surge of popular discontent.

The editorial says, less people probably joined in this year’s July 1st parade than last year’s, but there was still half a million people, and there is still a need for the government to pay close attention. Hong Kong’s economy is looking good now and people’s feeling of panic has subsided, but without fear of heatstroke, half a million people still gathered together in a crowded city plaza in over 30 C (86 F) weather. This shows that people really have strong discontent, and also proves that relying solely on economic development is not enough to solve the problem, especially the problem of democratic development.

Hong Kong Economic Journal’s editorial also said that although, Beijing has, since last year, never stopped giving economic benefits to Hong Kong, and has rejuvenated Hong Kong’s local economy, Hong Kong’s people still took to the streets. This economic sweet treatment cannot curb Hong Kong’s desire for democracy. This is a defeat for the Beijing government like last November when the pro-Beijing party lost in the District Council election. China’s Central Government must figure out a political plan to “help Hong Kong,” in order to resolve Hong Kong people’s antagonism towards the Special Administrative Government.

The editorial said, the fact that half a million people paraded on the streets on July 1 for the past two years, shows first, that Hong Kong people’s desire for democracy and general elections are very strong; second, that there is a good chance for the Democratic Party to win this year’s Legislative Council election this September; and third, that Hong Kong’s people’s feelings about democracy are very strong and Tung Chee Hua–current leader of Hong Kong, has little public support. The Tung Chee Hua government will become a lame duck if Hong Kong’s Democratic Party gets in control of the Legislative Council this September.