China crackdown binds religions closer

By Rose Tang
CNN.com Writer

HONG KONG, China -- Pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong met local religious leaders Tuesday in a bid to ensure religious freedom is maintained in the territory.

The move was in response to the government's controversial remarks about the Falun Gong spiritual movement.

It was the first time the political and religious leaders have met to discuss the territory's religious affairs.

Legislators from the Frontier group and Democratic Party met leaders from a dozen organizations representing various religions including Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. They voiced their concerns over a possible crackdown on religion.

Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa recently branded Falun Gong, a "cult with more or less evil nature" and said the government would keep a close watch on its activities.

'Evil cult'

Falun Gong is legally registered in Hong Kong but has been branded by Beijing as an "evil cult" and outlawed since 1999.

Democratic Legislative Council member Andrew Cheng convened the special meeting and called on religious leaders to provide their definition of religious community.

"We needed experts' opinions about religion in order to protect religious freedom. This (meeting) was my hidden agenda to stop the government moving further," said Cheng.

Two officials from the government's home affairs office assured the meeting that the government had no intention of passing any laws to curtail religious freedom.

Louis Ha, director of the Hong Kong Catholic Social Communication Office, told CNN.com that Tung's remarks had put pressure on religious groups in Hong Kong.

"The government has no reason or power to label Falun Gong," Father Ha said.

Bishop Joseph Zen of the Roman Catholic Church said it wasn't the business of the government or the lawmakers to define religions.

"This was the first meeting and I hope it's the last one," he told CNN.com.

Legislator Choy So-yuk, a member of the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong, said the meeting was "totally unnecessary".

"Why should we ask people to redefine religion? I haven't heard from anyone at the government that they'll redefine religion, nor have I heard from any religious people that they're unhappy with the government," said Choy, who is a Buddhist.

Hong Kong warns Falun Gong

Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong
Hong Kong government
Falun Gong

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