by Eugenia Zhang

Church officials and pro-human rights activists oppose mainland interference. Controversy rages over Article 23, which regulates anti-subversion activity and security of Hong Kong. Critics slam police for excessive use of force. Catholic groups promote education as a tool against repression.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - Catholic and civic groups are displeased with a Beijing official who hinted the China's central government might tighten restrictions on freedom in Hong Kong. The same official warned that foreign forces are interfering in Hong Kong affairs.

Lina Chan, executive secretary of the Hong Kong diocese's Justice and Peace Commission, told AsiaNews that it is not surprising the China's central government appears impatient and wants to impose Article 23 of the Basic Law, a law on anti-subversion and security of Hong Kong.

Citing recent cases of excessive use of police power in Hong Kong, Chan said the space left for freedom, such as the freedom to demonstrate and express oneself in the city, has been restricted in recent years, thus limiting the scope of "one country two systems".

The Catholic activist indicated that her group has joined with other civic groups to object to the legislation based on Article 23 when the city's political system still lacks universal suffrage so that can be easily abused by the authorities to control society.

On 22 November, Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council in Beijing, published a 6,000 Chinese characters article in the leftist Hong Kong newspaper Wen Wei Po. In it, he commented on issues relating to the city's politics and law, including the legislation of Article 23. He also accused foreign powers of interfering in Hong Kong's elections.

Regarding Zhang's reference to foreign influences, commentators related it to Chinese President Hu Jintao's remark on Hong Kong and Macau during the 18^th plenum of the Congress of the Communist Party in early November.

Pro-democratic Civic Party and other commentators in Hong Kong criticised Zhang for his comments, because they unduly meddle with Hong Kong's autonomy, undermining the principle of "One country two systems".

Alan Leong, a legislator from the Civic Party and a Catholic, said in a press statement that the central government has tasked the Hong Kong government with implementing legislation related to Article 23. In his view, there is no evidence to back Zhang's accusation of foreign forces' interference in Hong Kong's elections and internal affairs.

Meanwhile, Lina Chan said that her Catholic diocesan group will strengthen its work in raising awareness among Catholics and non-Catholics about the importance of human rights, the rule of law and education.

The diocesan Justice and Peace Commission will also join other civic groups in campaigns to raise awareness about excessive use of police force and Hong Kong's recent restrictive security laws.

• hong
• kong
• china
• beijing
• interference