Protests as Beijing puts its new man in charge

Hong Kong's new Beijing-backed leader was sworn in yesterday amid rising discontent over widening inequality and lack of democracy in the semi-autonomous Chinese financial centre.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets later in the day as part of annual protests when ordinary people air grievances.

Leung Chun-ying took office in an early-morning ceremony overseen by Chinese president Hu Jintao, becoming Hong Kong's third chief executive since British colonial rule ended and China regained control of the city 15 years ago.

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