HONG KONG - Hong Kong deported up to 70 members of the Falun Gong movement yesterday during a massive security operation to ensure a protest-free visit by Jiang Zemin, the Chinese President.
More than 3,000 police swarmed the harbourside convention centre where an economic forum attended by the Chinese leader was held. Mr. Jiang was staying only 24 hours in Hong Kong, which was interpreted as a mark of dissatisfaction with the territory's hand-picked Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa, whose popularity has steadily fallen since July 1, 1997, when Britain handed back the former colony.
But in his speech to the Fortune Global Forum, attended by a host of international figures, including former U.S. president Bill Clinton, Mr. Jiang praised the "wisdom" of Mr. Tung and promised to protect Hong Kong's autonomy.
Officials were concerned anti-globalization protesters would try to disrupt the meeting. Six activists displayed a large paper model of the Chinese President's head emblazoned with the words "Oppose Capitalist Cronyism."
The police operation seemed designed to ensure Mr. Jiang would not be able to see or hear demonstrators. Rights groups said more than 70 members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement were detained on arrival at Hong Kong airport from as far away as Britain and Australia, then rapidly deported. Officers cited "security" concerns for the deportations, though Falun Gong remains legal in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's leaders -- mindful of their territory's international image -- have resisted heavy hints from pro-Beijing figures that they ban the Falun Gong movement, which the mainland treats as an evil cult.
Mr. Tung has also dragged his feet on drafting a subversion law, as required by the handover treaty, aware that it would be a highly controversial measure.
If Mr. Jiang, a famously touchy man, had seen protests, it would have represented a public challenge that risked destroying that delicate balancing act.
Hundreds of domestic Falun Gong members were permitted to hold a series of protests against the mainland ban on their movement, at which they accused Mr. Jiang of personal responsibility for a campaign of repression, which has left more than 200 members dead in police custody.
On the mainland, such protests would be broken up swiftly, and participants would face long terms in labour camp or jail. In Hong Kong, they attracted barely a second glance.
Yesterday's Falun Gong demonstrations were held in parks and public spaces well away from the forum. Police dispersed a few dozen followers when they tried to hand out leaflets near the convention centre. Officers gave no reason for it, followers said, but the followers' bright yellow T-shirts could -- just barely -- be seen from the convention centre.