Hong Kong: 1000's Protest & Pray - 4 Dec 2005
LET'S PRAY FOR HONG KONG as tens of thousands of people demonstrate, calling for a fully-democratic political system in the Chinese autonomous territory.
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The BBC's Chris Hogg in Hong Kong says the march appears to be much larger than many had predicted, with many ordinary citizens and their families taking part.
Meanwhile the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance has called on Christians around the world to offer their prayerful support to the preparations for this month's vital World Trade Organisation talks in Hong Kong (13th-18th December).
A Day of Prayer on Trade has been scheduled for 11 December with churches around the world urged to include worship material on trade and human rights in their services to raise awareness of the WTO negotiations and the impact the global trade talks have on us all. |
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The particular issues to pray about are:
- the impact of trade on human rights
- the right to health
- particularly access to medicines to treat HIV and AIDS
- the right to food
Mass demonstrations in 2003 and 2004, when 500,000 people took to the streets to protest against the policies of Hong Kong's government, shook the administration and its political masters in Beijing. Some say they cost Hong Kong's former leader, Tung Chee-hwa, his job. The administration in Hong Kong and their political masters in the Chinese capital will be watching this rally closely to see whether or not their efforts have worked, our correspondent.
These weeks of Advent are vital days in history both for Hong Kong and for the world as the WTO gathers there. C'mon people - let's focus our prayers on this specific place and time!