Turnout for march lower than expected

Turnout for the first major march in Hong Kong organized by the opposition camp after the illegal "Occupy" protest was much lower than expected, as the government called for a rational, pragmatic and inclusive attitude to forge consensus for election reform.

Slogans, symbols and themes associated with the illegal protests again flooded the main streets of Hong Kong on Sunday, although in a much calmer and more law-abiding manner than the earlier protests. Unlike the blockades cleared in December, the Sunday march had been approved by authorities.

Hong Kong police estimated that up to 8,800 protesters took part in the march, which stretched along main roads from the Causeway Bay district to the Central district on Hong Kong Island on Sunday. The organizer, Civil Human Rights Front, estimated the turnout at 13,000.