Hundreds march for democracy in Macau

Hundreds of workers marched on Macua's government Thursday in a rare protest demanding full democracy in this booming Chinese casino enclave.

Protesters said a lack of democracy breeds corruption and prevents the working class from reaping the benefits of Macau's economic growth thanks to the territory's vibrant gambling industry that has lured Las Vegas brands including Venetian, Wynn and MGM.

"Even though economic development is strong, the system is bad. There will only be more problems," opposition legislator Ng Kuok Cheong said at the protest.

More than 700 protesters joined the march Thursday, the eighth anniversary of this former Portuguese colony's return to Chinese rule, chanting, "We will walk the road to democracy" and "We oppose collusion between government and businesses."

"Political and economic development can complement each other and be carried out concurrently," said Paul Chan, president of civic group the New Macau Association.

Macau's leader is currently chosen by a committee of 300 representatives drawn from different sectors and only 12 of the territory's 29 legislators are elected, with the rest appointed by the leader or picked by interest groups.

While residents of neighboring Hong Kong — another Chinese-ruled former Western colony that shares a similar electoral system — have organized large protests demanding political reform, Macau does not have a strong pro-democracy movement.

Macau is firmly controlled by Beijing allies and political unrest is rare. However, activists have organized several large protests this year to denounce corruption and illegal foreign workers, including a rowdy May Day demonstration that police tried to control by firing shots into the air.

Macau also held its biggest-ever corruption trial this year against former transport and public works secretary Ao Man-long, who was accused of taking tens of millions of dollars in kickbacks.

Macau's leader, Edmund Ho, didn't directly address democratic reform in a speech at a reception Thursday marking the eighth year of Chinese rule, but he promised to step up communication with the public and "increase the transparency of governance."

Businessman Stanley Ho, who monopolized Macau's casino market until the government opened it up to foreign investors in recent years, dismissed calls for more democracy.

"Macau is democratic and free enough ... it's prosperous enough. Why do people need to do this (protest)?" Ho told reporters. "Today is the eighth anniversary of Chinese rule. To celebrate is a good thing."