On 18 August 2003, the China Daily newspaper launched an attack on The Frontier legislator Emily Lau Wing-hing and the Democratic Party legislator James To Kun-sun after they attended a weekend seminar in Taipei on the "One country, two systems" policy, organised by the pro-separatism organisation, Taiwan Advocates. The newspaper described their participation as openly supporting pro-independence forces in Taiwan.

 

Emily Lau Wai-hing later openly demanded an apology from the China Daily for what the newspaper said were unsubstantiated. The paper claimed that Ms Lau might push for a referendum on independence for Hong Kong.

 

The newspaper also called for early enactment of the National Security Bill in Hong Kong, saying Ms Lau might push for a referendum on whether Hong Kong should become independent - committing the offence of secession under the proposed bill as it had stood.

 

Mr To said the lawmakers' trip was to help Taiwanese understand the potential effects of the legislation on Taiwanese permanent residents in Hong Kong.

 

The newly appointed Secretary for Security, Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong said Lau and To did not breach the secession laws suggested in the proposed national security law bill.

 

"Under the bill, they had not committed the crime of secession. The draft bill states that secession charges must be based on the use of violence or the threat to use violence,'' Lee said.

 

To view the China Daily article in full, please see enclosed.