100, 000 Hong Kong Residents Take to the Streets to Protest Against Article 23

Liberty Times from Hong Kong, by Wei Guojin on June 30: Tsoi Yiu-cheong, spokesman for the Civil Human Rights Front, estimated on June 30 that 100, 000 Hong Kong residents would take to the streets on July 1 to express their position against the legislation of Beijing-backed anti-subversion law (Article 23 of the Basic Law). This would be the largest protest since Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997, and the largest protest march in China since the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989.

Hong Kong human rights organisations denounced the Article 23 legislation, which is to be passed in July, saying that it will threaten people's basic human rights. Tsoi Yiu-cheong said, "We hope the government can listen to the people's voice, otherwise, it will cause more indignation from the people." The Hong Kong media estimated that the Hong Kong government would mobilize a thousand police in case of emergency.

Hong Kong's legislation that is counter to the Basic Law raised great concerns from the international community. UK Foreign Affairs Ministry Government Affairs Director Bill Rammell expressed on June 30 that some provisions blur the division between the judicial system in Hong Kong and in China, so it violates the principle of the "One Country, Two Systems" policy. The Hong Kong government then released a statement saying that the Basic Law will not harm people's basic freedoms.

On June 26, the U.S. House of Representatives stated that the Hong Kong government's legislation would threaten the people's freedom. Canada and the European Union also openly expressed their concerns. White House spokesperson Ari Fleischer pointed out that the legislation would harm the Hong Kong people's freedom and autonomy. The Beijing authorities responded that White House should not intervene in the internal affairs of other countries. Moreover, in the past few days, public rallies to support the Hong Kong people have been successively held in cities such as Washington DC, Boston, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

Director of Democratic China Ottawa Chapter Mr. Du Zhifu pointed out that according to the new law, his action of criticising the current affairs would be subject to the charge of treason, and he could be sentenced to death or life imprisonment. Those who know but do not report on him would be sentenced to seven years imprisonment. The law would enable the Hong Kong government to have a legal basis to launch an assault on Falun Gong.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who is making his first visit to Hong Kong, did not give a direct reply on June 30 when asked by reporters about the enactment of Article 23 legislation. He only said, "We hope that Hong Kong will create a stable environment attractive to foreign investors."

Liberty Times Journalist Huang Zhongrong reports in Taipei: "Global Coalition Against Article 23 Legislation" representatives in Taiwan delivered a statement yesterday to the Mainland Affairs Council. The statement pointed out that 'National Security Law' in Article 23 legislation of the Basic Law, is a malevolent law similar to the crime of "being a counter-revolutionary." It deprives the Hong Kong people of their human rights. The Chinese government also applied "white terror" to the international community through Hong Kong.

Section Chief of Hong Kong and Macao Section in the Mainland Affairs Council Mr. Zhang Yongshan accepted the statement, and the council reiterated its concern for the Hong Kong people's democracy, human rights and freedom, and called on the Hong Kong government to carefully address the feasibility of the "National Security Law" for our people so as to safeguard the relationship between Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The "Global Coalition Against Article 23 Legislation" expressed that the "National Security Law" is so important to human rights, but the Hong Kong government did not go through the procedure of legislation-- soliciting opinions and holding public discussion. This is unacceptable to the people of Hong Kong.

The coalition emphasised that a march would be held again today to protest the Hong Kong government's overriding the people's opposing voices and intentions to push ahead with the legislation on July 9, 2003.