Many Hong Kong citizens of various circles on Thursday applauded the conviction of 16 Falun Gong followers.

The Falun Gong members, who held a protest outside the building of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on March 14, were convicted Thursday of public obstruction, assaulting police and other offenses.

The citizens noted that Hong Kong has a sound legal system. Any attempt to trample on laws will destroy the social stability in Hong Kong and infringe upon the interests of local citizens.

A court in Hong Kong came to the verdict of conviction after investigations in more than four months.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2002)