HONG KONG (AP)--Hong Kong's security chief held out the possibility Thursday the Falun Gong meditation sect group could end up being outlawed here.
"I think it's a devious organization - many of the things contained in their writings can lead people into superstition," Security Secretary Regina Ip said. "It has lots of overtones of Chinese folk superstition."
Speaking to lawmakers, Ip said Falun Gong followers have harmed their health by relying on their meditation and exercises instead of going to the doctor. Some practitioners claim Falun Gong has improved their health.
Ip upped her rhetoric against the group banned in mainland China, and although she didn't specifically call for any action that might hinder Falun Gong here, she hinted the group might face troubles later.
"I never said that they are illegal but that doesn't mean that they will not be illegal in the future," Ip said.
For now, Hong Kong officials have said only they will keep a close eye on Falun Gong activities here.
Chinese authorities are staging an often-violent crackdown against Falun Gong, but the group remains legal in Hong Kong, where followers have irked Beijing and its local allies by carrying out numerous protests against the suppression on the mainland.
Beijing supporters have urged the government to stop Hong Kong from using the former British colony as a base for attacking China's central government, but pro-democracy forces here say that would jeopardize Hong Kong's freedom.
Falun Gong insists it isn't being political, but Beijing's allies point to its frequent demonstrations against China's crackdown as evidence that the group is actually quite politically charged.