September 23, 2001

HONG KONG (AP)--Falun Gong followers who have refused food in shifts over the past month to protest China's detention of adherents on the mainland ended their hunger strike on Monday but vowed to continue with a sit-in demonstration.

Around 118 members of the meditation [group] took part in the protest which began on Aug. 25 outside China's representative office in Hong Kong, with some refusing food for between one and four days, follower Joanna Lau said.

On the first day of the demonstration, Hong Kong police took their toughest action yet against Falun Gong by arresting 10 followers and removing them from in front of the Chinese liaison office after Chinese officials complained to the authorities.

Lau said no one was hurt by refusing food although some followers "felt nauseous" before they rested and recovered.

Groups of three to five Falun Gong members would continue with a sit-in protest indefinitely, she said.