By Michelle Wu
The Epoch Times Created: Jan 28, 2010 Last Updated: Jan 29, 2010
The Epoch Times Created: Jan 28, 2010 Last Updated: Jan 29, 2010
HONG KONG—The organizers of a performing arts company whose Hong Kong shows were cancelled amidst speculation of political interference from Beijing held a protest meeting in Chater Gardens, near the center of this city on Jan. 27.
The organizers and supporting politicians and civil rights advocates came to spell out their grievances against the Hong Kong government, who has been accused of bowing to pressure from the Chinese Communist Party.
Shen Yun Performing Arts was forced to cancel its long awaited and premier performance in this international financial hub after seven key production staff were denied visas. The Hong Kong authorities had argued that the individuals could be replaced by local staff; Shen Yun said that was impossible, and was left with no recourse but cancellation.
Those gathered called on the wider Hong Kong public to stand up and defend freedom of expression on the island in the face of what they see as a failure of the rule of law.
Former member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council Rev. Fung Chi Wood urged the public to come forward to defend its rights, saying that he finds it “incomprehensible” for the Hong Kong government to suppress a performing arts group displaying “excellent and traditional Chinese culture.”
Hong Kong Democratic Party Whip at Sai Kung District, Mr. Lam Wing-Yin, compared the Hong Kong government’s refusal to issue the visas as a “farcical play.”
The organizers and supporting politicians and civil rights advocates came to spell out their grievances against the Hong Kong government, who has been accused of bowing to pressure from the Chinese Communist Party.
Shen Yun Performing Arts was forced to cancel its long awaited and premier performance in this international financial hub after seven key production staff were denied visas. The Hong Kong authorities had argued that the individuals could be replaced by local staff; Shen Yun said that was impossible, and was left with no recourse but cancellation.
Those gathered called on the wider Hong Kong public to stand up and defend freedom of expression on the island in the face of what they see as a failure of the rule of law.
Former member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council Rev. Fung Chi Wood urged the public to come forward to defend its rights, saying that he finds it “incomprehensible” for the Hong Kong government to suppress a performing arts group displaying “excellent and traditional Chinese culture.”
Hong Kong Democratic Party Whip at Sai Kung District, Mr. Lam Wing-Yin, compared the Hong Kong government’s refusal to issue the visas as a “farcical play.”
“The government of Hong Kong doing this is very ugly,” he said, adding that at the same time it has “at least revealed the Hong Kong government’s increasingly outrageous behaviour since being handed over to the CCP.”
Mr. Lam said the incident served well as a warning: “Didn’t it say that Hong Kong will remain the same for 50 years after hand over to the regime? It’s been only 10 years and Hong Kong has been changed completely.” He finished with: “Don’t stand by the communist party.”
Central committee member of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party Albert Lam sees the incident as emblematic of what he calls the collapse of Hong Kong legislation and the manipulation of law by political forces, which he says is “the biggest challenge to Hong Kong.” “The independence of Hong Kong legal system no longer exists,” he said.
“I believe more and more people see clearly that the so-called ‘one country-two systems’ policy, or Hong Kong people rule Hong Kong, are lies and means for central government to fool people,” he blasted.
In their statement, Shen Yun hosting organizations struck a more conciliatory softer tone, saying that people of Hong Kong who love and cherish freedom should urge the government to correct the wrongdoing. “We firmly believe millions of Hong Kong people will insist on the spirit of freedom and conscience and make the right choice.”
The hosts say they plan larger scale protest activities on the coming weekend.
In email responses to questions by The Epoch Times, Hong Kong immigration authorities gave no further explanation as to why the visas were cancelled, or how it was decided that local staff could be found for the positions. “We will not comment on individual cases,” they wrote.
Mr. Lam said the incident served well as a warning: “Didn’t it say that Hong Kong will remain the same for 50 years after hand over to the regime? It’s been only 10 years and Hong Kong has been changed completely.” He finished with: “Don’t stand by the communist party.”
Central committee member of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party Albert Lam sees the incident as emblematic of what he calls the collapse of Hong Kong legislation and the manipulation of law by political forces, which he says is “the biggest challenge to Hong Kong.” “The independence of Hong Kong legal system no longer exists,” he said.
“I believe more and more people see clearly that the so-called ‘one country-two systems’ policy, or Hong Kong people rule Hong Kong, are lies and means for central government to fool people,” he blasted.
In their statement, Shen Yun hosting organizations struck a more conciliatory softer tone, saying that people of Hong Kong who love and cherish freedom should urge the government to correct the wrongdoing. “We firmly believe millions of Hong Kong people will insist on the spirit of freedom and conscience and make the right choice.”
The hosts say they plan larger scale protest activities on the coming weekend.
In email responses to questions by The Epoch Times, Hong Kong immigration authorities gave no further explanation as to why the visas were cancelled, or how it was decided that local staff could be found for the positions. “We will not comment on individual cases,” they wrote.
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