News: HK democrats defy orders to mourn death of former Chinese leader

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 19 January 2005 1820 hrs
Channel News Asia

HK democrats defy orders to mourn death of former Chinese leader
By Channel NewsAsia’s Hong Kong Correspondent Roland Lim

More than 20 of them observed a minute’s silence at the start of a Legislative Council meeting.

They had gone ahead despite having their request turned down by the
Legislative Council president on the grounds that Parliament only
mourns the death of major leaders who have made significant
contributions to Hong Kong.

Ms Rita Fan tried convincing the democrats to sit down but was
unsuccessful so she and other council members including pro-Beijing
lawmakers left the room.

The legislative session was abruptly cancelled.

Outside the Legco, dozens of democracy supporters set up a memorial altar and democracy wall at Victoria Park.

Szeto Wah, Chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance, said: "Hong Kong
people should treasure the freedom they have in Hong Kong and they
should put effort to maintain this freedom. I also hope the Chinese
government will allow a public memorial to take place in public in
China."

Martin Lee, Ex-Chairman of the Democratic Party, said: "This is the
least that should be done to a leader. We consider him to be one of the
greatest leaders of China."

Mr Zhao had been under house arrest for more than 15 years after he
was ousted for opposing the military crackdown on the Tiananmen Square
pro-democracy protesters.

Hong Kong’s reaction in marking the death of the late Chinese leader Zhao is a sharp contrast to those on the mainland.

The Chinese government re-asserts that it was right in its handling of Tiananmen protest.

Many Hong Kong residents also turned up to pay their respects to Mr Zhao.

"He is a very kind and honest man, so my heart is very heavy. I
respect his anti-violence stance when he showed sympathy to the
students."

"I’m just an ordinary citizen, Mr Zhao is a man who should really
be respected by us. I think he was a very rare Chinese leader. "

Many more well-wishers are expected to sign their names on the ‘wall of democracy’.

And thousands of Hong Kong residents are expected to attend a candle-light vigil in his memory on Friday night. – CNA

• Many did Support the Moment of Silence for Zhao Zi Yang in the HK Legco

• One Minute of Civil Disobedience

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