12/16/2002

The Toronto Star

Ontario

Page A17

In one of the biggest demonstrations since this territory came under Chinese sovereignty, tens of thousands of protesters marched in the streets here yesterday to condemn controversial national security legislation.

Chanting slogans against "this evil law," singing religious hymns, and carrying black balloons to symbolize mourning, organizers estimated as many as 50,000 people turned out to protest proposed treason and secession laws.

The demonstration came on the heels of a major public opinion survey released Friday showing a sharp increase in public fears that freedom of the press and other civic rights could be imperilled by the sweeping legislation demanded by Beijing.

The protest, up to six kilometres long, snaked through the streets of Hong Kong, prompting police to issue formal warnings to organizers because the crowd had far exceeded the initial estimate of 5,000 people when they applied for a permit.

[...]

Protesters were not reassured yesterday. "This evil law will embroil Hong Kong, heaven and earth forbid," they chanted in a show of solidarity that attracted representatives from dozens of local groups including the Roman Catholic Church, the Falun Gong spiritual movement, trade unions and local journalists.

They called for a detailed "White Paper" outlining the specific wording of the government's proposals. So far, Hong Kong has issued a vague Consultation Document announcing its plan for new laws on treason, subversion, sedition, secession, theft of secrets and banned organizations.

"This is a very clear voice," protest organizer Rose Wu said. "How can they ignore this voice? How can they still turn away?"

[...]

But the government has been caught off guard by the breadth of opposition, which has come not only from street protests but loud complaints from the business and religious establishment. The British and American chambers of commerce have also issued critiques.

Another controversial proposal is to prosecute journalists for theft if they refuse to reveal their sources after "unauthorized disclosure of protected information."

The plan has prompted warnings that any restrictions on the free flow of information could spark an exodus of media from Hong Kong, and discourage the big banks and other businesses from maintaining offices here.

China has more journalists locked up than any other country, and memories are still vivid of the mainland's 1993 jailing of a Hong Kong journalist who speculated on an interest rate hike. Fears about restricted information flows have touched a nerve with the financial sector, which depends on access to unbiased data.

"Banking in Hong Kong would be affected if press freedom is restrained," said David Li, the banking representative in the legislative council. "If the media cannot fully and fearlessly reflect news and views truthfully, the information is useless. Press freedom is what gives us a comparative advantage over Singapore."

The Hong Kong Bar Association weighed in last week with a stinging criticism of the treason proposals and urged the government to publish a "White Paper" with precise wording to permit an open debate.