The message, if not as loud, is still clear

On July 1, more than 40,000 people took to the streets to vent their anger and frustration at the inept administration of Donald Tsang Yam-kuen. This is the sixth consecutive year in which Hong Kong people have marched in huge numbers to demonstrate against the government.

The biggest show of force was in 2003, when well over half a million people dressed in black protested against legislation on national security, which many feared would endanger freedoms and undermine the rule of law. The people were deeply dissatisfied with then chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, secretary for security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee and financial secretary Antony Leung Kam-chung.

Days after the march, Mrs Ip and Mr Leung resigned. Two years later, Mr Tung also stepped down. The triumph of people power was exhilarating. Sadly, while these demonstrations managed to remove unpopular politicians they failed to help Hong Kong secure democratic government.

To people's dismay, the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) decided in April 2004 that Hong Kong could not elect the chief executive nor all members of the Legislative Council by universal and equal suffrage in 2007 and 2008. In December last year, the NPCSC further ruled out direct elections in 2012.

In response to the popular desire for universal suffrage, the NPCSC said the chief executive could be elected by one person, one vote in 2017, and if that election goes well, all Legco members could be elected in the same manner in 2020.

This was neither a categorical promise nor an official undertaking, and many people were convinced that candidates unacceptable to Beijing would not be allowed to stand for election as chief executive.

As for the 2020 Legco election, Mr Tsang has told legislators that the functional constituencies, a form of limited franchise whereby handpicked companies and professional people are given an extra vote to choose legislators from their own groupings, can be turned into universal suffrage, with a bit of tinkering.

This abominable form of election was created by the British colonial government in 1985. The Chinese government liked it so much that it was enshrined in the Basic Law. Since this inequality is institutionalised in the political system, there is deep concern that Hong Kong will never see the back of it, and many people fear Hong Kong will have no democratic elections in 2017 and 2020.

Although Beijing has already ruled out direct elections in 2012, members of The Frontier will continue to make that demand. Many people who took part in the march on July 1 also shared our aspiration.

Tomorrow Vice-President Xi Jinping will arrive in Hong Kong for a three-day visit. Mr Xi is widely tipped to be the successor of President Hu Jintao and is in charge of Hong Kong affairs. On July 7, all Legco members, including those from the pro-democracy camp, will be invited to dinner with Mr Xi, but it is almost certain we will not have a chance to talk to him.

For almost two decades, the central government has imposed a travel ban on many pro-democracy politicians. At present, 12 Legco members are not allowed to visit the mainland. Consequently, there is very little communication between the pro-democracy camp and mainland authorities.

In order to present our views to Mr Xi, members of The Frontier will deliver a letter to the Central Government Liaison Office (CGLO) tomorrow. In the past, when we delivered letters to the liaison office, they almost never sent people to receive it.

The march on July 1 is a sign that people are dissatisfied with the administration. They want a government that is responsive to their wishes and aspirations and they want a democratic political system as soon as possible. We hope Mr Tsang and the central government hear us loud and clear.

Emily Lau Wai-hing is a legislative councillor for The Frontier