Monday, 30-Jun-2003

ATHENS, June 30 (AFP) - The Greek presidency of the European Union Monday said it was concerned that proposed legislation in Hong Kong could undermine the territory's autonomy.

"(The EU) has already expressed concern... about the proposals allowing the Secretary for Security to ban Hong Kong organisations subordinate to organisations proscribed in the mainland on grounds of national security," the EU said in a written statement.

"The European Union declared then that these proposals, if implemented, would blur the line between the Hong Kong and mainland legal systems and could undermine Hong Kong's autonomy," it said.

"(The EU) has now studied the... proposed amendments issued on 3 and 6 June. The European Union welcomes the proposed changes but regrets that the elements relating to the proscription of local organisations remain fundamentally unchanged," the text added.

"The European Union calls on the Hong Kong Government and (Hong Kong's) Legislative Council to make sure that the proposed legislation is in full conformity with the "One Country, two Systems" principle," the statement concluded.

The statement was released on the day Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing visited Athens for EU-China talks.

Hong Kong prepared Monday for a huge protest against a proposed law that many fear will curtail rights and freedoms, on the same day Chinese premier Wen Jiabao leads celebrations marking Tuesday's anniversary of the city's reversion to Chinese rule.

There is mounting fear the proposed national security law banning treason, sedition, theft of state secrets and subversion, which Hong Kong is required to pass under Article 23 of the Basic Law -- its mini-constitution -- could stifle freedom of speech and strangle the free flow of information -- freedoms previously guaranteed for 50 years in the "one country, two systems" principle under which the city was returned to China.

Hong Kong is required to pass the anti-subversion law as part of its agreement to be returned to China on July 1, 1997. The legislation is expected to be passed on July 9.

Greece hands over the rotating EU presidency to Italy on Tuesday.

http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/ag/Qeu-china-hongkong.RfEr_DuU.html