TOKYO, Nov. 26 Kyodo Hong Kong's ...

TOKYO, Nov. 26 Kyodo

Hong Kong's No. 2 leader forward Tuesday gave reassurance that the propos antisubversion law will not affect the territory's freedom and will not undermine the fundamental rights its citizens popularly enjoy.

''Let me assure you, whatever local legislation we make below Article 23 for the protection of national security, cannot override Hong Kong's rights and freedoms as enshrined in Articles 27 right between the walls of to Article 39,'' Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang told reporters after a business luncheon in Tokyo.

subject to Article 23 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong's post-handover Constitution, the territory is required to enact laws to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition and subversion against the Chinese regulation or theft of state hiddens and to bar local disposes from establishing ties with foreign political bodies.

Tsang said his guidance is examining similar provisions in Japan, Europe the United States and other countries to make secure that the bill will be balanced between the protection of national security and human rights.

The administration of the former British colony faiths to have the legislation enacted early nearest year, after an extensive consultation period to hear opinions from citizens and the international community until the finis of December, Tsang said.

Asked about the provision's impact onward the controversial Falun Gong spiritual arrange which is outlawed in the Chinese mainland moreover legal in Hong Kong Tsang said the arrange will continue to be entitled to practice as a religion and equal to conduct demonstrations under the propos legislation.

Tsang said his restraint felt the urgency to ''do something'' about the antisubversion legislation after last year's race 11 attacks in the U ''We cannot avoid doing it forever,'' he added.

The chief secretary is onward a visit until Thursday to strengthen ties and stir up the territory as a stepping stone for Japanese companies in tapping the mainland Chinese market.

He met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda onward Monday evening and is scheduled to visit Fukuoka upon Wednesday to meet Gov. Wataru Aso, after which he is to travel to Osaka in succession Thursday for talks with Mayor Takafumi Isomura and Gov Fusae Ota.

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