SCMP: Editorial - Unwanted Withdrawal

Thursday, February 8, 2001 It was only ever a matter of time before the issue of the Falun Gong organisation and its banning by the central Government became international. But it is most unfortunate that the issue has arisen over a Dutch delegation's planned visit to Hong Kong. The decision by the Dutch Foreign Minister and Human Rights Ambassador to call off their trip because of what they say was pressure from Beijing over a plan to meet local members of the Falun Gong brings the matter to a head, and makes the SAR Government's position even more difficult and uncomfortable. Regardless of Beijing's concerns about the activities of the Falun Gong here, a meeting between a Dutch official and a private citizen is not a diplomatic concern. Foreign delegations meeting organisations legally registered in Hong Kong cannot be said to come under the category of foreign affairs. Falun Gong is outlawed on the mainland as an "[Chinese government's slanderous word]". Beijing is therefore justified in pressuring international delegations not to meet representatives of the organization on the mainland. But what happens in Hong Kong should, under "one country, two systems", be another matter. It is generally recognised that the West has a different concept of human rights to China, where the priority is to feed 1.2 billion people adequately and bring prosperity to the poor and to remote areas of the country. But it is not surprising if foreign officials visiting the mainland seek to understand the reasons behind the banning of Falun Gong by speaking to all sides - including the organization's members. Beijing may consider such dialogue an interference in its domestic affairs, and an expression of tacit support for the movement. But events in the SAR should not be viewed in the same context. So long as members obey local laws, there is no reason for the organization to be outlawed here. Adherents continue to protest that their organization is non-political and committed to benevolence and good behaviour. Their beliefs [...]; but under the freedoms guaranteed by the Basic Law they are entitled to do their exercises and hand out pamphlets expressing concern at the treatment of their members, providing they do not act in a confrontational way, or break any laws.