<B>PRO-DEMOCRACY </B>activists in Hong Kong expect 20 000 people to take to the streets of the Chinese city today in what could be the biggest march since a mass protest in July shocked city leaders and Beijing.

The demonstration is expected to be a test of whether public anger with Hong Kong?s unpopular, China-backed leader, Tung Chee-hwa, has cooled in recent months.

?We?re calling for full democracy and demanding that the government listen to the people,? said Richard Tsoi, a spokesman for the organisers who also led the July 1 march, which drew half a million people.

It will be closely watched by leaders in Beijing, who are widely believed to be worried by calls for more democracy on their doorstep.

<B>High degree of autonomy</B>

China largely controls Hong Kong, even though the city was promised a high degree of autonomy after Britain handed it back in 1997.

A recent University of Hong Kong poll showed popularity ratings of Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung and his government sank to historic lows in the second half of the year.

Tung has been fiercely criticised by the public for a string of policy decisions since he took office after the handover and accused of dragging his feet on demands for full democracy.

The government, which has been under pressure for years to open discussion on electoral reforms, has promised to unveil a timetable in early 2004.

Tung?s insistence on trying to push through a controversial anti-subversion bill sparked the July protest, which splintered his ruling coalition and triggered Hong Kong?s biggest political crisis in years.

He drew fresh anger on Saturday by appointing 102 people to district councils, snubbing demands that they be given more say in choosing local leaders.

Wary of angering the public further, the government has backed down in recent months on contentious legislation, including the withdrawal of the subversion bill. Two unpopular ministers have resigned.

Beijing has showered economic favours on the city since July in a bid to boost public confidence.

Some pro-China politicians have warned that a large turnout could increase anxiety in Beijing and discourage it from allowing more democracy in the city. But not everyone is listening.

?I don?t like the government. They?re not doing a good job. We aim to fight for democracy and better governance,? said Andy Tang, a 39-year-old solicitor who joined the July 1 march and will take to the streets again today.