Anti-subversion bill draws lawmakers' ire

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong's government should reconsider its anti-subversion bill because of public fears that civil liberties will be taken away, pro-democracy lawmakers said Wednesday, a day after a half-million people marched against the proposal.

Twenty-one pro-democracy lawmakers from the Legislative Council signed a letter to Hong Kong leader Tung Chee Wah asking that he stop the bill from moving forward and consult more openly with the public. They also want to meet with Tung, lawmaker Cyd Ho said.

"Now that he's seen the number of people marching in the streets, if he still keeps his head in the sand, the next time there's going to be more," Ho said.

About 500,000 people marched Tuesday opposing the anti-subversion legislation, which many fear will be used to suppress free expression and other liberties traditionally available in Hong Kong but nonexistent in China.

"The law is so big and broad that anything we do can be penalized," bank clerk Arki So, 24, said at Tuesday's protest. "It's turning Hong Kong into a prison, and no one will know what to do or what not to do."

The proposed law mandates life sentences for many crimes against the state.

The march in the streets of Hong Kong overshadowed the sixth anniversary of the handover of the territory from Britain to China. It also was unusual because Most Hong Kong demonstrations are limited to tiny groups of die-hard activists.

"The people had one key message for Hong Kong leader Tung Chee Wah's administration: 'Listen to us,"' political commentator Christine Loh said.

The demonstration was Hong Kong's biggest since 1 million people took to the streets after Chinese troops crushed the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement in Beijing in June 1989.

Tung brushed aside questions Wednesday about the latest protest.

"It just shows a complete disconnect," Loh said. "He can't just hide in a bunker."

On Tuesday night, Tung issued a statement saying he was "concerned" about the large number of protesters and reiterating assurances his government will "continue to take active steps to maintain and safeguard rights and freedoms."

Also, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday that Beijing would honor its pledge to allow Hong Kong considerable autonomy to preserve its "unique position and irreplaceable role" within China and the global economy.

An anti-subversion law is required under Article 23 of Hong Kong's so-called mini-constitution.

But many here see the proposed measure as betraying the "one country, two systems" government -- which allows Hong Kong to keep some Western-style civil liberties -- promised when China took control of Hong Kong from Britain on July 1, 1997.

Tung met Wednesday with key legislative allies. Big business and pro-Beijing interests dominate the 60-member Legislative Council and can assure passage of the bill, but they now may need to consider public discontent.

"We are very concerned and very worried that if the government doesn't accurately understand the thinking of 500,000 people, it could pose a larger problem," lawmaker James Tien of the pro-business Liberal Party said after meeting with Tung.