Hong Kong iMail and AFP: Patten warns SAR against crackdown on Falun Gong

FORMER governor Chris Patten, now a top European Union (EU) official, warned Hong Kong yesterday of international concern if it follows the mainland and bans the Falun Gong [group].

Mr Patten, the EU's external affairs commissioner, told RTHK Radio 3: ''There would be a great deal of international interest, if anything was done about the Falun Gong because there would be some concerns in Europe and North America.

''There are bound to be international concerns because of events and developments outside Hong Kong and not inside Hong Kong.'' Mr Patten was in Beijing for a meeting of East Asian and EU foreign ministers.

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Chinese University sociology professor Lau Siu-kai said Mr Patten's assessment was essentially correct, especially in light of the recent souring of the relationship between Washington and Beijing. ''If the Hong Kong government is going to take action against the Falun Gong, I anticipate some kind of international reaction,'' he said. Western countries would interpret any move against the group as being the product of pressure from Beijing.