Hong Kong Chief Executive designate Tung Chee-hwa gave an interview to a group of Australian journalists in Hong Kong on Friday evening, June 20. The journalists asked three questions about Tibet, and I've reproduced the transcript of his replies (NB. The questions are not direct quotes).
Q. Will calling for independence for Tibet and Taiwan.be illegal?
A. "I say this with some feeling: if people advocate the independence of Taiwan or the independence of Tibet, I believe the law will be such that they will be illegal."
Q. What about studying independence for Tibet and Taiwan at universities?
A. "It would depend on how, what is the study, what is the purpose of the study. I think it would be very difficult for me to comment specifically."
Q. Will people be allowed to hang up pictures of the Dalai Lama on their walls?
A. "It again depends on the circumstances but please understand these issues arouse very strong feelings among Chinese people in Hong Kong."
"The Australian" this morning (June 21) ran a long story on the interview, and reported the exchange about Tibet as follows:
"Mr Tung repeated his warning that agitating for the independence of Taiwan and Tibet would be illegal in Hong Kong from July 1 as a potential threat to China's national security.
However, he was less clear whether merely discussing these issues would be against the law, or whether followers of Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, would be able to hang his portrait on their walls."
