HK hunger strike against new law

By Francis Markus
BBC correspondent in Shanghai

Members of Hong Kong's Democrat Party have started a hunger strike in protest at the government's plans to introduce controversial anti-subversion laws next week.

Opponents of the legislation say it will severely restrict people's freedoms and want it amended.

Eleven politicians from Hong Kong's Democrat Party have picked one of the busiest spots to stage their hunger strike.

HK Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (modelled) is under fire

They are at the pier of the historic Star Ferry which shuttles between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

They say they plan to fast for 100 hours to draw attention to their protest about the Hong Kong Government's controversial new national security legislation.

Known as Article 23, it covers treason, subversion and theft of state secrets.

Article 23

Outlaws: Reporting state "secrets"

Criticism of Beijing authority

Access to "subversive" material

Currently legal groups, such as Falun Gong

The government says it is committed to introducing it under the deal which handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997, but opponents fear it could severely restrict people's freedoms and they are calling for amendments.

On Tuesday, the sixth anniversary of the handover, they are planning what they say will be the territory's biggest mass protest since China's crushing of the Tiananmen democracy movement.

They aim to mobilise 100,000 people.

Although the issues around Article 23 are complex, they may also be able to tap into widespread public discontent about the government's handling of Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and Hong Kong's troubled economy.