01/29/2003

HONG KONG (AP)--Rights activists Wednesday charged that Hong Kong's scaled-down version of a planned anti-subversion law still threatens the territory's freedoms.

"The government didn't make any real concessions," said legislator and unionist Lee Cheuk-yan. "It's still totally unacceptable."

Lee accused Hong Kong's leader, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, of "twisting public opinion" by saying Tuesday that most people favored the law, which officials hope to pass by midyear.

Critics say the process for measuring opinion was rigged - although the government said it had been objective.

Hong Kong officials said they had taken public comment into consideration, but insisted they weren't making any concessions.

Ever since Hong Kong was returned to Chinese sovereignty five years ago, it has been required under Article 23 of its mini-constitution to outlaw subversion, sedition and other crimes against the state.

Critics fear the government's proposal will subject Hong Kong to mainland-style tactics. Some say the Falun Gong [group], outlawed in mainland China [...] although it remains legal in Hong Kong, could be targeted.

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