May 7, 2001

HONG KONG, China -- Falun Gong followers are being held at Hong Kong airport, missing the opportunity for a unique -- and legal -- opportunity to take their message directly to China's President Jiang Zemin this week.

A British university lecturer told CNN he and his wife were among between 20 and 30 members detained by immigration officials.

Hundreds of local practitioners will conduct peaceful protests during the three-day Fortune Global Forum in Hong Kong, at which Jiang will present the opening keynote speech.

Dr. Li Shao was detained with his wife late Monday after arriving on a flight from London. Their travel documents were seized and he was told they would have to return immediately to the U.K.

Shao told CNN he was being held in a small room, but that there was no evidence either of them were Falun Gong followers.

"This is an abuse of Hong Kong law," he said.

"We are not a security risk, we have been law-abiding. Authorities here are amending law to suit Jiang Zemin."

Violet Li was among those who entered successfully.

"I don't know why they detained the followers," she said. "We were very low-profile, we didn't wear Falun Gong T-shirt or anything. Among those detained, some have never visited Hong Kong."

Hui Cheung Yee Han believes the Hong Kong government has a list of well-known Falun Gong members.

"I don't think it is a coincidence that 15 people were denied entry just a few days before our activities."

At the weekend, eight Falug Gong adherents from other countries were deported.

A representative of the group alleged immigration officers had not given any reasons to some who were denied entry.

"Some were being told that for security sake, they were denied entry. But those people, they haven't committed any crime in Hong Kong or in their original countries," she said.

The Falun Gong movement is banned in mainland China and Beijing has dubbed it an '[Chinese government's slanderous term omitted]'. Human rights groups blame Chinese authorities for the deaths in custody of nearly 200 of its practitioners.

It is unlikely that Jiang will set eyes on a single Falun Gong practitioner during his stay in Hong Kong, but followers know there will probably never be a better opportunity to demonstrate so close to the Chinese leader without fear of arrest.

And they promise to make the most of the event, which lasts from May 8 - 10.

"It's a very good opportunity to raise awareness not only in Hong Kong, but also world-wide when people around the world and the international media are here," said Kan Hung-cheung, a spokesman for the group.

Kan Hung-cheung, a spokesman for the Falun Gong, said it hopes to use the protests to draw attention to China's crackdown on its members.

The group was banned after 10,000 members protested to the Chinese government at official compounds in Beijing on April 25, 1999.

Since then, they claim their story has been one of persecution and oppression.

"There are nearly 200 practitioners died of mainland prosecution, we urge the government to stop suppression, and ultimately to lift the ban imposed on our group," spokeswoman Sharon Xu told CNN.

Raising awareness

Falun Gong demonstrators in Hong Kong will hold group [...] exercises, distribute flyers, exhibit photographs and hold a candlelit vigil and seminars across the territory.

"But we won't be surprised if we can't see President Jiang Zemin or the president can't see us," said the group spokesman Kan Hung-cheung.

The group will demonstrate some distance far from the Fortune Global Forum venue, following police restrictions.

"Still we want to take this chance to raise people's awareness of our group and take this opportunity to tell the truth. We hope the public can help us in our ordeal," said Kan.

Asked if the group was provocative, Hui replied: "I really can't see any link with this word. We are closing our eyes and standing without moving our legs, how can we be provocative," she told CNN.

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