40,000 candlelight mourners pledge to continue struggle
More than 40,000 people joined a candlelight vigil last night to mourn David Chan Yuk-cheung, who died protesting against Japan's claim of the disputed Diaoyu Islands.
They vowed to carry on the 'Protect-Diaoyu Campaign' and sang the 'Diaoyu Islands War Song'.
Part of the 1971-composed song says: 'We fight every inch of our land and fight to death to resist the bandits that despised us at the East Ocean.' In a rare show of unity and respect for Chan, 46, political figures from rival camps as well as Xinhua (New China News Agency) officials sat shoulder to shoulder with people from various socio-economic classes and age brackets.
Among the faces at the rallies were Xinhua assistant director Wang Rudeng, Preparatory Committee members Leung Chun-ying, Maria Tam Wai-chu and David Chu Yu-lin.
Condolences, given by the Chinese State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Xinhua and Taiwan's quasi-official Chung Hwa Travel Agency head Cheng Anguo as well as mainland Diaoyu activist Tong Zeng, were read out at the beginning of the rally.
Three minutes' silence set the sombre tone for the memorial gathering organised by six political groups at Victoria Park.
In stark contrast to the jovial mood at the park when thousands celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival on Friday, it was a scene of tears and passion last night.
Emotion ran high at times when Chan's wife, two children and friends spoke of their loss.
In front of a banner hailing Chan as a martyr lay a small coffin covered with a Chinese national flag, symbolising the return of Chan's remains.
