At a flag raising ceremony in Hong Kong on Wednesday to mark China's National Day, Hong Kong's chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, told a crowd that a recently-adopted method of selecting the territory's next chief executive is a positive development. Thousands of demonstrators, who have taken to the streets in recent days in protest of the system, see it as falling short of true universal suffrage.

"It is definitely better to have universal suffrage than not," Leung was quoted by the Associated Press. "It is definitely better to have the chief executive elected by 5 million eligible voters than by 1,200 people. And it is definitely better to cast your vote at the polling station than to stay home and watch on television the 1,200 members of the Election Committee cast their votes."

A recent decision by the Chinese government only allows Beijing-approved candidates to stand in a 2017 election for the territory's first direct elections. Previously, the candidate was selected directly by the Election Committee.

Large protests are taking place on Wednesday throughout Hong Kong on the public holiday, with many protesters gathering before dawn at the city's waterfront Golden Bauhinia Square.

Organizers of the protests are hoping that the public holiday will allow massive crowds to gather in the city to express their displeasure at the vetting law, which was approved by China's National People's Congress.

The Hong Kong government has already cancelled holiday fireworks that had been set to take place on Wednesday.

'Blossoming flowers'

One of the main protest groups is Occupy Central, and the group's co-founder Chan Kin-man, pleaded with Hong Kong citizens to appreciate the group's goals and understand why everyday life may be disrupted by the demonstrations.

"Despite such a large occupation, the government is still using such an attitude, so a lot of people think that the action now is not enough and that flowers must continue to blossom everywhere," Chan said according to the AFP news agency. "I hope everyone will understand what we are doing is not to harm Hong Kong."

The former British colony has enjoyed special rights since it was reabsorbed by China in 1997, under a "one country, two systems" principle. According to that formula, universal suffrage is set as the eventual goal.

Protesters are demanding that Leung step down, and the restrictions on candidate nominations from Beijing to be removed.

mz/kms (AP, AFP, Reuters)