China lets in die-hard democrats

A handful of diehard pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong crossed into mainland China at the weekend for the first time since being barred for criticising Beijing after the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.

The Chinese Government invited the city's entire 60-member Legislative Council as a goodwill gesture as Beijing-backed Chief Executive Donald Tsang is preparing to unveil political reforms that have drawn criticism from some democrats.

"Now more than ever we need mutual understanding," Tsang told reporters before setting off on the two-day trip from Hong Kong.