'The new generation of Hong Kong people were born and live here and their roots are in the city' said Yip, 27, the former vice-convenor of the Civil Human Rights Front that has been organising the annual July 1 protests over the past few years.

'Society is more diversified now and the different needs of different people have to be taken care of. We need [our] history [to be preserved] in order to have our roots.'

Yip, a social worker, has been searching for her cultural roots since when she was a Form Seven schoolgirl.

On July 1, 1997, she asked herself: What does the handover mean?

'I remember the whole of Nathan Road was blocked, and there were many helicopters in the sky. The mood was very solemn and the atmosphere was war-like,' said Yip, who became interested in politics after reading reports about the June 4 incident in Form Four.

'My family was worried. They are the kind of Hong Kong people who feel that it is a privilege to immigrate and live overseas,' said Yip.

'I felt that the people around me were not happy. There's a sense of uncertainty.'

Since then, Yip's life has been intertwined with politics.

She has worked as an assistant for legislators, been involved in a youth action group, competed in a District Council election in 2003, helped with the organisation of the July 1 march in 2004 and 2005, and has taken part in the fight to preserve the Star Ferry pier.

Despite her heavy involvement in politics, Yip has remained an outsider over the years. She is not interested in working up the ranks of a political party or the government.

'I don't think the institution suits me because you have to compromise a lot - and often to no avail - when you work inside the system,' said Yip.

'Also, there is little flexibility even if you are elected legislator due to Hong Kong's political system.'

Yip also feels that there is a large gap between political parties, which focus on garnering votes, and civil society, which is more progressive when it comes to promoting social and political causes.

'Civil society has the feeling that political parties are always on the lookout for advantages,' she said.

What motivates Yip is her determination to spread the message of the power of the people.

'What has returned to Hong Kong people after the handover? We were second-class citizens during the colonial days. But is it any different now? Often we have no say in many issues,' said Yip.

'What we want to bring up in our fight to protect the Star Ferry pier [and the Queen's Pier] is that we are no longer second-class citizens of a colonial society. Protecting the harbour is just a means.

'We want Hong Kong people to realise that the right to make decisions on the development of public spaces belongs to all Hong Kong people, not just to a specific class.'

Yip said she had never considered herself a hero or a spokesman for the people.

'The idea of a political star is undemocratic,' she said, insisting that she is just a normal person doing the things that she feels compelled to do.

'I just want to be a different voice to help people rethink various issues.'