May 9, 2001
HONG KONG -- A senior government official Wednesday sidestepped questions about whether the Hong Kong had been too heavy-handed in dealing with pro-democracy protesters and the spiritual [group] Falun Gong.
U.S., Britain Seek Explanation for Hong Kong's Expulsions. The questions came as Chinese President Jiang Zemin opened a global business conference. Some of the world's top leaders attended the three-day forum in Hong Kong. But the conference also served as a backdrop for protests about the treatment of Falun members in the Chinese territory.
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U.S.-Chinese relations have been on shaky terms since a U.S. spy plane collided with a Chinese fighter jet in April. Now, the U.S. and Britain are asking questions as to why their citizens were kept out of Hong Kong. Falun Gong members complained that more than 100 overseas members were barred from entering Hong Kong over the past few days.
Donald Tsang, Hong Kong's chief secretary for administration and No. 2 official, insisted during a morning news conference that Hong Kong remains one of the most open societies in the world. But he avoided questions about why so many Falun Gong people had been kept away.
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Falun Gong says the followers who were barred from Hong Kong included citizens from the U.S., Britain and Australia who should be allowed to enter without visas. The U.S. and British consulates said they have sought an explanation about why their citizens were kept out. Mr. Tsang said, "I am quite sure that we will explain our position very clearly to them, to their satisfaction, over time."
Hong Kong denied barring anybody on the basis of Falun Gong membership, but the heavy police presence and rules keeping protesters far away from Mr. Jiang and other dignitaries drew much criticism.
"I think the officials of the various departments have received tremendous pressure from the top," Falun Gong spokeswoman Hui Yee-han said Wednesday.
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Category: Persecution Outside China
