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HONG KONG, July 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Hong Kong artists said people in Hong Kong
should treasure their hard-won status as masters and support the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region government in its legislation concerning Article
23 of the Basic Law, said a local newspaper Sunday.
Popular Cantonese singer Alan Tam was quoted as saying that "Hong Kong is
our home and we cannot resort to extremist actions which will bring chaos to our
homeland."
He warned people that if Hong Kong is put into disorder, it will in no way
attract foreign investment and tourists.
Some members from the Hong Kong South China Film Industry Workers'
Association shared the view with Tam.
Feng Lin, honorary deputy chairman of the association, said Hong Kong
people need a stable, harmonious and prosperous home.
She said Hong Kong people should realize that it is right for the HK government
to make further amendments to the draft National Security (Legislative
Provisions) Bill (Article 23 of the Basic Law) and for the Legislative Council
to vote on the bill as scheduled. Hong Kong needs to focus on its economic
development, which requires closer economic ties between the Chinese mainland
and Hong Kong, she said, adding closer economic relationship can only be
achieved by ensuring national security.
Another honorary deputy chairman of the association, Wu Foxiang, said the
fact that most of the artists in the entertainment industry did not participate
in the protest on July 1 showed the industry's supportive stand for the
government.
He said the government had done quite a lot to help the development of the
industry in the past years.
A consultant for the association, Qiu Ping, said that like every household which
has locks on its doors to protect itself against burglary, a country should
have a "lock" to protect itself. The national security bill is also a
"lock" for protecting our homeland.
While announcing the government has decided to introduce three amendments to
the national security bill, Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said Saturday the bill
will be put to pass the second and third readings in the Legislative Council
on July 9 as scheduled.
The Hong Kong government released the consultation
paper on proposals to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law on Sept. 24, 2002,
in a step to reinforce the protection of China's sovereignty, territorial
integrity and security. Enditem
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