BBC: Protesters fear for HK freedom
Tuesday, 1 July, 2003, 12:01 GMT 13:01 UK Protesters say the new law will curb their freedoms Tens of thousands of people have been taking part in a march in Hong Kong to protest against the
introduction of a new anti-subversion law. The organisers say up to 400,000 people have taken part, but that figure has not yet been
confirmed by the authorities. Many demonstrators are angry at new national security legislation - due to be introduced next
week - which they say is a threat to political, religious and media freedoms. But a whole range of issues were being protested against, from the dire state of the territory's
economy, to the government's handling of the deadly Sars virus. The protest overshadowed the official celebrations to mark the sixth anniversary of Hong Kong's
return to Chinese control, presided over by Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. One group of protesters burned the Chinese Communist Party flag as Mr Wen desperately tried to
reassure reporters that Article 23 would not infringe on the considerable autonomy the territory has
been promised. It "absolutely will not affect the different rights and freedoms that Hong Kong people -
including reporters - enjoy under the law", Mr Wen said. Mr Wen left Hong Kong before the organised protest started. Mass gathering "Return rule to the people," chanted protesters dressed in black to mourn what they
said was the demise of rights and freedoms in the once free-wheeling territory. ARTICLE 23 Outlaws: Reporting state "secrets" Many groups were represented, with members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement in their
distinctive yellow T-shirts and Christian groups strumming guitars. "The government is trying to use the law to suppress people's views and voices," lawyer
Terry Chan told Reuters news agency. "Tung's government is a malignant tumour on society...If we let this fester, Hong Kong will
die," she said. "This will push Hong Kong toward an era of tyranny," said WC Mak, a 74-year-old retired
nurse. Our correspondent, who was with the demonstrators, says that although the atmosphere was
peaceful, there was no mistaking the strength of feeling. The controversial bill - Article 23 - is due to be signed into law next week. It states that Hong Kong must enact laws to prohibit "treason, secession, sedition and
subversion against China or theft of state secrets, to prohibit foreign political organisations or
bodies from conducting political activities in the region, and to prohibit political organisations
or bodies of the region from establishing ties with foreign political organisations or bodies." Wen Jiabao was in Hong Kong for the anniversary of the handover Article 23 is being proposed as part of the Basic Law governing Hong Kong, which was negotiated
by China and Britain. But Britain and the European Union have also criticised the bill, saying it could compromise the
territory's autonomy from mainland China. [...] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3033956.stm
Criticism of Beijing authority
Access to "subversive" material
Threatens: Currently legal groups, such as Falun Gong
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