Hundreds of marchers call for Stephen Lam to resign

The rally was organised by the Civil Human Rights Front - which includes pan-democratic parties and other pressure groups. At 3pm they marched from near Sogo in Causeway Bay along Hennessy Road, arriving at the entrance of the new government offices in Tim Mei Avenue, Admiralty, before 5pm. Police estimated 1,200 protesters began the march, with 800 joining along the way.

Lam, previously minister for constitutional and mainland affairs, took over the city's No2 post last month after Henry Tang Ying-yen resigned. Tang has yet to say if he will run for chief executive. In a University of Hong Kong poll last week, Lam was given a popularity rating of 38.5 - the lowest for a chief secretary since the university project started in 1997.

Front convenor Eric Lai Yan-ho said: "The appointment shows the government has ignored public opinion. The promotion was based on an official's loyalty rather than ability."

Protesters chanted slogans demanding Lam step down. They questioned why he had been promoted, after the criticism he received for his handling of electoral reform and a plan to overhaul Legco by-elections.

In response to yesterday's rally, Lam said: "I notice that there are different views about my new appointment as the chief secretary. I shall take heed of people's opinions and strive to better communicate and co-operate with different political parties." He added that his primary objective in public service had been to protect the long-term interest of Hong Kong and had worked on the basis of mutual respect and understanding with people holding views different to his own.