This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Protests over the future of democracy in Hong Kong have spread internationally, with thousands of people rallying in London on Wednesday night.

The Hong Kong Overseas Alliance, a political diaspora organisation, gathered more than 2,000 protesters in front of the Chinese embassy in London, following similar demonstrations in New York and Los Angeles.



Vandana Chatrani, 31, recently moved from Hong Kong to London. He said he attended “just to show my support for pro-democracy and for the movement that everyone is fighting for in Hong Kong.

“I really wish I could be there myself. In this way I can sort of be a part of it and show I am really committed to democracy and I think that is what the Hong Kong people deserve.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Chinese students rally outside the Chinese embassy in London. Photograph: See Li/See Li/Demotix/Corbis

An e-petition has been submitted to the British government calling for clarity on its position towards Beijing’s approach to democracy in Hong Kong. The latest protests were provoked by Beijing’s decision to limit the choice of the next chief executive.



Leading Hong Kong activists have criticised the lack of intervention by David Cameron following Beijing’s weekend crackdown on protesters. Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, has summoned the Chinese ambassador for an urgent meeting to express his “dismay and alarm” over the handling of the protests.

