HONG KONG, (AFP) -An estimated 250,000 people took to the streets of Hong Kong yesterday, demanding the full democracy that was promised when Britain handed its former colony back to China eight years ago. But political leader Donald Tsang defiantly refused to give in to their calls for swifter change, saying the Chinese territory must take it one step at a time.

Frustrated with a package of limited reforms proposed by the Beijing-appointed Tsang, marchers thronged the streets in the biggest show of public anger since he took office in June.

It follows a series of huge rallies called in demand of political change since the territory reverted to Chinese rule in 1997, including one that drew more than 500,000 people in 2003.

Organisers, the Civil Human Rights Front, said more than a quarter of a million people had joined the march. Police said 63,000 had mustered, although witnesses said there were far more by the end of the rally.

Leading pro-democracy legislator Ronny Tong described it as a “defining moment for Hong Kong”.

“The single message is clear: we want universal suffrage,” he said.

In a hastily convened press conference afterwards, however, Tsang said he would not budge.

“There’s no room for change,” he said, looking sombre and drawn, without his trademark bow-tie.

Opponents say the proposals – to broaden a committee of Beijing-backed elites that chooses the chief executive and to enlarge the legislature – would be a step backward for the full democracy spelled out under the Basic Law post-colonial constitution.

Democrats in the legislature say they will veto the bill unless Tsang offers a timetable for democratic reform.

Tsang appealed for the protesters’ support.

“I have listened to them and shared their ideals,” he said, adding he would pursue a so-called roadmap to democracy as soon as his proposals are endorsed, which he hoped would happen in the legislature on December 21.

“What I am proposing is a step forward towards democracy,” he said.

His words were unlikely to soothe thousands of protesters who had staged a rally outside the government headquarters after the march, vowing to maintain an all-night vigil until the chief executive addressed them.

Dressed mostly in black, thousands had earlier chanted slogans calling for swift and substantial reforms in a march from Victoria Park.

Brandishing banners denouncing the unpopular draft law and emblazoned with the protest’s birdcage emblem – a symbol of the political constraints activists feel the city endures -protesters of all ages joined the throng.

Some wore stickers that read “Hong Kong loves democracy” and a handful donned symbolic black blindfolds for the two-mile (3.2 kilometre) march route.

Protester Au Wai-chi, 83, said: “I’m old but still haven’t seen proper democracy here. I’ve waited for too long now. Without universal suffrage, we don’t have real freedom.”

Amos Cheung, a 40-year-old quantity surveyor was equally defiant. Yesterday’s massive turnout could weaken Tsang’s political base and rattle Communist Party leaders in China, who fear reform here might weaken the city’s economy and spark calls from change on the mainland.

More than half a million people flooded the streets of Hong Kong in July 2003, forcing the withdrawal of an unpopular anti-subversion law proposal and contributing to the resignation of former leader Tung Chee-hwa in March 2005.

Among the marchers yesterday was political heavyweight Anson Chan, the former deputy leader who even in retirement remains hugely popular.

“There’s a need to fight for democracy… there are moments when you should stand up and be counted,” said Chan, who was marching under banners that read “Hong Kong Deserves Full Democracy” and “Democracy is no threat to stability”.