HONG KONG (AP) - After discussing Falun Gong with Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Hong Kong's political leader said Tuesday he won't let the meditation sect harm Hong Kong but insisted he is not under pressure to act against the group.
Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa said he would make sure Falun Gong does not repeat any of the troubles it has allegedly caused on the mainland, where authorities have outlawed the group as an ``evil cult'' that they say has pushed some followers into suicide.
Tung said he met with Jiang on Monday as the Chinese National People's Congress began its annual session - and that Jiang had made it clear that ``Hong Kong Falun Gong is an issue for Hong Kong.''
Tung has said the territory must ``closely pay attention to all the activities and behaviors of Hong Kong Falun Gong.''
Falun Gong is the subject of an often violent crackdown in mainland China, but the group remains legal in Hong Kong. Followers frequently demonstrate against Beijing's suppression, much to the dismay of local Beijing allies who have been clamoring for some sort of clampdown.
Pro-democracy and human rights activists say that would undermine Hong Kong's freedoms of speech and religion, holdovers from British colonial days.
``We must ensure the tranquility of society in Hong Kong, and ensure that society in mainland China will not affected,'' Tung said.
A Falun Gong spokeswoman in Hong Kong, Sharon Xu, said she continues to believe Beijing is pressuring Tung.
``All the claims that the Chinese authorities have made against Falun Gong have never been through any investigation by an independent third party,'' Xu said. ``So to say that it causes harm or made people commit suicide or harm others - it's completely untrue.''
Falun Gong says its teachings prohibit any form of killing, including suicide.
The Hong Kong government has recently intensified its rhetoric against Falun Gong, with Tung labeling the group a ``cult'' and Security Secretary Regina Ip calling it ``devious.''
Many observers here say the government's response to Falun Gong will be a crucial test of Hong Kong's autonomy.
Although Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in July 1997, the territory retains considerable freedom.
AP-NY-03-06-01 0612EST
Copyright 2001 The Associated Press.