Hong Kong papers welcome protest

The media says Hong Kong's citizens are fed up with the government

Hong Kong's media interprets Tuesday's mass demonstration against a new anti-subversion bill as a sign of wider dissatisfaction with the territory's administration.

"Today is a special day," proclaims the popular daily Ping Kuo.

"Today, Hong Kong citizens will no longer silently endure the performance of officials who call a stag a horse" or "mutely endure the overbearing and rigid attitude" of the Hong Kong administration, it says.

We need to maintain a stable social environment. I hope that friends attending the demonstration will think again Member of Hong Kong's Executive Council

"Today, Hong Kong citizens will clearly say 'no' to a detestable law!

"Let us stand together today, take to the streets together and show that we won't abandon Hong Kong and won't abandon freedom," the paper exalts.

'Just say No'

The respected daily Ming Pao likewise says the protest march is an example of Hong Kong people's determination to take a stand against officialdom.

"Hong Kong people have advocated freedom and independence and have dared to say 'no' to officials in power and to mistakes."

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao is praised by Hong Kong's papers

Wake-up call

The Hong Kong Standard says the protests should act as a wake-up call for the administration of Tung Chee-hwa.

"Today, as people march to vent their frustration with the administration, Chief Executive Tung should reflect on the reasons that have made them do that in the first place," it advises.

If people protest, it is because they feel alienated and frustrated South China Morning Post

"It is time Tung stopped burying his head in the sand and faced reality.

"He should listen to what the people of Hong Kong are really saying and deliver what the public expects from a leadership that can truly feel their pain."

The South China Morning Post says the protests against the Article 23 legislation "should not be confused with a lack of patriotism, for the warm reception given to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao this week confirms that patriotism abounds."

"If people protest, it is because they feel alienated and frustrated," the paper observes.

"The least the government can do is show it is listening."

'People's premier'

The papers contrast the style of the Hong Kong administration with that of Mr Wen, who visited the territory for ceremonies marking the sixth anniversary of its return to Chinese rule.

The Chinese prime minister connected with ordinary men and women in Hong Kong in a way our current leadership cannot Tung Fang Pao

Over the past few months Hong Kong officials have made merely a "show of meeting people", the popular daily Tung Fang Pao says.

But Mr Wen "displayed some of the qualities that are desperately lacking in Hong Kong during his visit of the past few days," the Hong Kong Standard comments.

Breaking away from his official itinerary for a walkabout in a shopping centre, Mr Wen "showed himself a man of the people", the paper says.

"He connected with ordinary men and women in Hong Kong in a way our current leadership cannot."

The independent Sing Tao Daily says Mr Wen was at pains to show himself "a premier of the people".

"Many people think Wen Jiabao's recent comments concerning Hong Kong's present situation shows that he understands Hong Kong's situation well, sees the difficulties faced by Hong Kong people and has pointed the way for Hong Kong."

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.