21 October 2002

Dear Mr. Tung,

Most people in Germany, as well as the German Falun Gong practitioners, had been pleased to see Hong Kong government, under your leadership, manage to uphold the principle of “one country, two systems” since Hong Kong was handed over to China July 1997. Hong Kong should continue to safeguard basic human rights. People in Hong Kong should continue to enjoy the freedom of assembly, speech, demonstration, belief and other freedoms which have gained the world’s confidence in the future of Hong Kong. These freedoms have always been the corner stone of the quality of life in Hong Kong.

Unfortunately and regrettably, the recent development in Hong Kong has thrown a very black shadow over Hong Kong. The arrest of Falun Gong practitioners who legally and peacefully held a sit-in appeal in front of the Chinese Liaison Office is a serious violation of basic human rights. It sadly marked a tremendous set back for the human rights record of Hong Kong.

In view of the above mentioned development, we are very concerned about the recently published “consultation document” on the enactment of article 23 in the basic law. Such concepts as “national security” and “state secrets” have been frequently used in Mainland China as excuses to sentence dissidents to heavy punishment, and these concepts seem to be key elements in the “anti-subversion” law although “national security” and “state secrets” have never been a problem in Hong Kong. We are concerned that this enactment of article 23 will bring Hong Kong closer and closer to “one country, one system”, a totalitarian system. This will ruin the confidence of the world towards Hong Kong and will not promote and safeguard a positive development of Hong Kong.

Falun Gong has done no harm to Hong Kong or any other places in the world. In fact it is just the opposite: Falun Gong promotes health and morality in practitioners, and health and morality are other cornerstones of a peaceful and harmonious society.

On behalf of all Falun Gong practitioners in Germany, I sincerely urge you not to become a tool of Jiang´s regime in his criminal and cruel persecution against Falun Gong. Wish you to make correct decisions and secure Hong Kong and yourself a bright future.

Sincerely yours,