The streets of Hong Kong were filled with protesters showing their distrust and anger against Beijing and the local government over the weekend which marked the 15th anniversary of the former British colony’s reversion to Chinese rule.

The Financial Times reports almost 400,000 protesters marching against newly sworn-in leader, Leung Chun-ying, who is believed to be a close ally of Beijing. Chinese President Hu Jintao urged the new administration, under Leung, to promote cooperation and unity in the territory, a statement which deflated the public’s trust in the new chief executives ability to to keep the “one country, two systems” policy which gives Hong Kong citizens rights and freedoms not afforded to those on the mainland.

Leung pledged, in Mandarin instead of Hong Kong’s Cantonese, to “seek changes while maintaining stability … and push for democracy and the development of a more fair society.” Leung was picked by 1,200 of the city’s elite and is said to be backed by Beijing. China promised Hong Kong full democracy by 2017 that will allow full, direct elections.

Hong Kong locals were irked at the influx of Chinese citizens that are said to be trying to access limited education and health-care systems.