Martin Lee Says Article 23 Is More Terrifying than SARS -- Calls on International Community for Support (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net June 5, 2003) Arranged by the President of the Global Coalition Against Article 23 Wang Tao, and Chairman of the Democracy and Peace Alliance of Overseas Chinese People Wu Heyi, a Hong Kong delegation led by Martin Lee met with Chinese reporters and supporters at Chinatown in Washington DC on June 3, 2003.

Press conference to oppose the Article 23 legislation	Mr. Wu Heyi, Chairman of the Democracy and Peace Alliance of Overseas Chinese People

Hong Kong legislator Mr. Tu Jinshen called on the Washington DC Chinese community to inform the world about the dangerous situation that Hong Kong is facing, the Article 23 legislation, which is to be implemented on July 9. He appealed to people to pay attention to the Chinese central government's violation of the "one country, two systems" policy and endangerment of Hong Kong's free, democratic society. He pointed out that Article 23 is aimed at Falun Gong, and the Hong Kong Catholic Church and other religious groups are also faced with the danger of being banned.

Tu Jinshen said, "We understand that Tung Chee-hwa obtained his reappointment with the condition of consenting to Beijing's enactment of Article 23 and to ban Falun Gong in Hong Kong. The central government officials emphasized many times in Hong Kong that Falun Gong should not exist. The central government exerted great pressure on the Hong Kong SAR government, otherwise, Tung Chee-hwa would not be so anxious to push through the legislation." He said that during the period of time to lobby in Washington DC, they gained a lot of support. Wherever they went, they were asked, "What can we do to help?"

The American Consul General in Hong Kong Qi Jinmu once published a statement saying that this issue should be decided by Hong Kong's people. Martin Lee said that the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong government and most of the legislators were not appointed through election, so it is impossible for the Hong Kong people to make the decision. Tu Jinshen said that the Hong Kong government would be influenced by pressure from the international community. They visited Washington DC and New York, in hopes that American society and the overseas Chinese community could raise awareness of Article 23 and draw people's attention.

The delegation stayed in Washington for four days and accepted interviews from the Washington Post and the Washington Times. Shortly after, when they visit New York, they will accept interviews from the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. The China Assembly Hall of Washington Overseas Chinese Association, Friendship Association of Hong Kong and Macao and Taiwanese Friendship Association also expressed their appreciation to the delegation.

"Safeguarding Hong Kong is to safeguard conscience" was the major theme that Wang Tao, President of the Global Coalition Against Article 23, wanted to express to the world. Wang said, "Hong Kong is a place in China where there is still freedom of expression and assembly. The world learns about China through Hong Kong, and the world also hopes that Hong Kong could influence China and lead China to eventually become democratic and prosperous! Therefore, we must not allow this land of freedom to lose its freedom." This coalition was established in November 2002. Within a few days in November, their website received more than 9000 signatures opposing the Article 23 legislation from all over the world.

Hong Kong Legislative Council member Martin Lee joined a live question and answer TV show this morning and received a Mainland Chinese person's phone call, "Hong Kong is the most important line of defense for China's human rights, if this line is breached, Mainland's situation will be even worse. He asked us to make sure to safeguard Hong Kong." He pointed out that Article 23 was more terrifying than SARS, because SARS was temporary, while once Article 23 is implemented, it will remain indefinitely. Martin Lee is not pessimistic about whether this round of lobbying will be successful. Even if the efforts are not successful, it will still have an impact on the future execution of the law.

Mr. Luo Qiao from Hong Kong Human Rights Watch emphasized the danger that Article 23 will bring to Hong Kong, "What the Chinese Communist Party fears most is people coming together. So you formed the Global Coalition Against Article 23, or if you unite the organizations present and coordinate the efforts, forming a whole with each person, that is what they fear most. The part of this legislation that harms Hong Kong people the most is the banning of an organization."

Various Chinese associations in Washington DC also expressed their views. Deputy Chairman of the China Assembly Hall Dr. Lei Chaolun said, "I personally represent Washington DC, especially the China Assembly Hall, to welcome you, and we appreciate your efforts. We will also call upon our overseas Chinese people to pay attention to what you are saying, and we hope that Hong Kong will maintain its freedom and democracy."

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2003/6/5/51669.html

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