China has allowed Hong Kong pro-democracy politicians into the mainland, in a visit many hope will be the start of a broader reconciliation. The pro-democracy politicians, who had been barred from crossing the border for more than a decade, were given an audience with a senior official on Sunday.

The lawmakers, including Leung Kwok-hung, the activist better known as Long Hair; Martin Lee, a veteran campaigner who was once branded a "traitor" by Beijing, and Lee Cheuk-yan, were among the 60 Hong Kong legislators invited to southern China on a two-day tour that began on Sunday.