The Legislative Council's Last Stand

Attempt to Avert Hong Kong Crackdown

It was the Legislative Council's last session before its dissolution next Monday, when Hong Kong returns to China.

Proposals by the colonial government to introduce legislation for two new crimes - secession and subversion - were rejected. Pro-democracy lawmakers had feared that China might use the laws to suppress freedom of speech and other political activities.

China had strongly criticised earlier drafts of the law, accusing Britain of meddling in the affairs of the post-colonial government, but had stopped short of saying it would scrap the measure.

But there are still fears that the new Chinese-appointed legislature could still introduce harsher laws. In China, verbal attacks on the state, even where no violence is involved, are an offense.

Law and Order: What Hope for the Status Quo?
The BBC's Home Affairs Correspondent Jane Peel reports

Honk Kong and Confucius - our correspondent Matt Frei reports how the ideas of the Chinese philosopher shape China's past and Hong Kong's future - Dur: 4'17"