They were supported by six parties across the political spectrum.

However, the decision of chain stores, restaurants and some shops to remain open heartened The Link, whose spokeswoman said operations at wet markets and plazas were normal. "Link believes, and is happy to see, that tenants will put residents' benefits ahead of their own," she said.

The Link owns about 100 plazas with 10,000 tenants. It has invested HK$2.6 billion in renovation work and will continue to monitor and discuss problems with tenants, the spokeswoman added.

Hong Kong Public Housing Estate Shop Operators Union chairman Chan Wing-shing said around 3,000 tenants from 31 estates participated in the action.

Hong Kong Doctors Union president Henry Yeung Chiu-fat said 200 of 250 members at plazas owned by The Link joined the strike. Yeung said medical services were not affected, "as patients could go to other doctors or return at another time." He also admitted the strike by doctors, between noon and 3pm, was mainly cosmetic since many GPs do not normally work during those hours.

Chan said the strike was most effective in Lok Fu Shopping Centre, Wang Tau Hom, where rents have risen 70 percent.

Representatives of the Civic Party, Democratic Party, Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood, Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, Liberal Party and League of Social Democrats joined protesters at Lok Fu. There was also strong support at Chuk Yuen Shopping Centre in Wong Tai Sin, Fung Tak Shopping Centre at Diamond Hill and Yau Oi Estate at Tuen Mun.

Tuen Mun district councillor Cheung Yuet-lan, who helped coordinate the strike, said more than 80 percent, or 100 tenants, joined the action at Yau Oi Estate where rents are up 30 to 50 percent.

Dragon Law Wing-tak, a Chinese medicine practitioner registered with Ngai Hoi Dispensary, said his rent has soared 150 percent in addition to the commission The Link levies on his profits. "It is hard to survive."

However, Practising Estate Doctors' Association chairman Ling Chui-pui disagreed with the action, since six medical associations earlier reached an agreement with The Link.