July 3, 2003

(Clearwisdom.net) HONG KONG -- The government here faced growing pressure to withdraw parts of a planned antisubversion bill, with even some of Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa's staunchest supporters urging him to make concessions as public anger
grows.

Pro-China lawmakers and political commentators called for Mr. Tung to listen to the city's residents after Tuesday's street protest, which organizers said drew 500,000 people. Protest organizers say they are planning more demonstrations.

The legislation -- the so-called Article 23 antisubversion law, which defines and lays out tough penalties for violations of China's national security, including treason, subversion, sedition and the theft of state secrets -- is expected to be enacted Wednesday.

A top pro-Beijing lawmaker Thursday asked the Hong Kong government to water down the bill.

"Since people still have existing doubts and this has caused such a great controversy, can the government consider responding to people's worries?" asked Jasper Tsang, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong.

Mr. Tsang, whose party typically supports Hong Kong's government on legislative matters, said he thinks the bill is fine as written, but that the government should do something to address people's concerns. He suggested one part that could be changed was a provision that would let Hong Kong outlaw local groups that are subordinate to groups that have been banned in mainland China on national security grounds.

Critics say that measure might be used against Falun Gong, the meditation [group] outlawed in China but allowed to practice, and protest, in Hong Kong.

Other key pro-government blocs in the legislature also are reviewing their positions after Tuesday's demonstration.

"Today, even if the government wanted to pass a free lunch bill they would have difficulty," said David Chu of the pro-government Hong Kong Progressive Alliance. "After seeing what happened on July 1, I think everyone in Hong Kong is reviewing their positions," he told a radio phone-in show.

Lawmakers were scheduled to meet Friday to discuss urging Mr. Tung to respond to the march. Opposition Democratic Party leader Yeung Sum called it the only way Mr. Tung can "avert a political crisis." Mr. Tung has so far just issued a short news release that critics attacked as inconsequential. Mr. Tung's Executive Council met to discuss the matter Thursday but didn't release details of the talks.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Police Chief Tsang Yam-pui warned protesters not to interfere with the Legislative Council, after opposition lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan called on people to surround the building next Wednesday.

"If we're talking about surrounding and blocking the legislature, that impedes the operation of the legislature. It's illegal. Citizens should not do it and should not encourage other people to do it," he said. Mr. Lee accused the police chief of trying to keep down the number of protesters.

Also Thursday, Australia and New Zealand voiced concerns about the proposed law and called on Hong Kong to ensure that civil liberties aren't jeopardized. The U.S., the European Union and Britain have voiced similar concerns.

[...]