Hong Kong’s former deputy leader Anson Chan and Cardinal Joseph Zen, the head of the Catholic church in the territory, were among the high-profile figures joining the demonstration.

However organizers said they felt let down after China’s President Hu Jintao left Hong Kong before the start of the rally.

“We were disappointed that Hu didn’t stay and hear what the Hong Kong people are asking for. He didn’t want to open his heart and ears and listen to people’s aspirations for democracy,” said Jackie Hung of protest organizers the Civil Human Rights front.

“As the Chinese leader he should listen to different opinions.”

Protester Dick Cheung, 56, said he believed he had a responsibility to come out and fight for the vote.

“We have the right to democracy. If we have no right to choose our leaders we will not have any control over them if they make mistakes,” said Cheung, owner of a textile company.

Since the handover, activists have been calling for full democracy in the city, where citizens do not have the right to choose their own leaders and only half the legislature is directly elected.

The lack of political progress in the global financial hub has sparked mass public protests in the past, with half a million people taking to the streets in 2004.

Far fewer took part in Sunday’s march. Organizers said 68,000 people showed up as the rain held off, defying meteorologists’ forecasts.

Police stationed at the end of the route said they had so far counted 20,000 protesters but more were still arriving.

Earlier in the day, Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang promised greater democracy as he was sworn in for a second term.

Although the protest was held under the pro democracy banner, many demonstrators said they were representing other causes.

Unions for the thousands of Indonesian and Fiilipino domestic workers in the territory used loudhailers to shout “wage increase now” in protest at the level of the minimum wage.

Also among the demonstrators was Mary Lau, whose journalist husband Ching Cheong was jailed in China last year.

“His health is getting worse and I’m really worried about him. We’ve been applying for medical parole but received no response,” she said.

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