Intervention Magazine: A Trial In Hong Kong Puts China On Trial

With the eyes of the world media focused on the war on terror and the protracted conflict in the Middle East, developments in China have tended to take a back seat. With the US economy staggering and China's booming, perhaps some media outlets feel this is not the right time to raise new questions about the behavior of America's #1 trading partner.

And yet, there are trends and ominous warning signs emanating from the world's most populous country that should alarm even those among us who would like to believe that the People's Republic is silently democratizing because of market pressures, its admission into the WTO and selection to host the 2008 Olympic Games.

While China's external image becomes more opaque and its diplomacy more seductive, China watchers are worried that the reality is far more volatile and troubling than a perception that has lulled many, perhaps even President George W Bush who has invited his "friend" Chinese President Jiang Zemin to visit his Texas Ranch October 26.

While many commentators worry about the escalating war of words between Beijing and Taiwan as independence talk on the island nation rankles China's rulers, a drama underway in Hong Kong is almost more insidious.

When Hong Kong was "returned to the motherland" by Great Britain, the Communist Party agreed that Hong Kong's character as a free city would be respected. The Chinese government made a commitment to "two systems in one country." A basic law was passed assuring freedom of speech, and the press among other vital freedoms.

During his recent visit to the former British crown colony, Tony Blair's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw reaffirmed the centrality of that commitment. "It is vital, "he said, "that the basic rights and freedoms afforded to the people of Hong Kong through the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law continue to be upheld. [The British government] believes that freedom of assembly and freedom of speech must not be compromised:"

But now that law is being put to a legal test that could well decide whether China will respect the freedom of Hong Kong or further choke off free expression there. A Hong Kong jury is hearing a case involving supporters of Falun Gong, the spiritual practice banned in China but not Hong Kong.

Here is what is happening. In many ways it mirrors events during the civil rights era in the US when Southern sheriffs crushed non-violent protests on the grounds that they interrupted traffic or obstructed the right of way.

The case involves sixteen Falun Gong supporters including four from Switzerland, who are charged with obstruction and assault during a peaceful protest and appeal to the government of China which took place on the sidewalk in front of the Chinese Liaison Office on March 14, 2002. The Swiss traveled to Hong Kong like northern students traveled to Mississippi in the 1960's to support civil rights.

And like those demonstrators, they practiced non-violent passive resistance sitting in meditation with signs behind them with sashes that spoke of their solidarity. They joined 12 locals who were defending Falun Gong's rights to their beliefs.

In most parts of the world, this protest would have been allowed, and covered in the media even if officials ignored it. Not in today's Hong Kong.

Video footage and eyewitness accounts testify to the peaceful nature of the protest on a sidewalk that is approximately 30 feet wide. The demonstrators had occupied an area no more than ten feet across, leaving ample room for pedestrians.

Soon, 50-60 police surrounded the practitioners blocking off the entire sidewalk, some charged, choking some of the practitioners, and squeezing their pressure points Chinese style. They were then all dragged away and arrested.

The trial has been a joke. The prosecution called no third-party witnesses, only police and Liaison Office security guards. The judge was openly biased against Falun Gong, projecting an attitude which legal observers fear will impact on his verdict.

"This trial is not about obstructing side walks" says Falun Gong Information Center spokesperson Levi Browde. "It is about whether or not the rule of law in Hong Kong can withstand the will of Jiang Zemin, the Chinese President who has called for Falun Gong to be crushed inside China and now outside as well. The future of Hong Kong as a free city is also being tested".

Wooden barricades now occupy the spot in front of the Chinese Liaison Office where the appeal took place, taking up much more space than the appeal itself. Hong Kong government officials also plan to build a vehicle drop-off point and install flower beds there, apparently to block further demonstrations.

China's trial has provoked criticism worldwide. The outcome of the trial at a time when Jiang Zemin is indicating that he may refuse to step down for a transition to new leadership in China is being viewed as a bellwether for the future.

Danny Schechter, contributing editor, is the author of "Falun Gong's Challenge to China" (Akashic Books).

Danny Schechter

Executive Editor Mediachannel.org