The Hong Kong group of the Falun Gong cult is no longer what it registered to be, but a sheer political group, local newspapers reported Thursday.

A string of events it staged thereafter provided counter-evidence that it is not apolitical and maybe never has been, the China Daily Hong Kong Edition cited a signed article as saying.

It needs political savvy and sensitivity to choose such key dates as National Day and handover anniversaries of the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions to put up what the local followers claim are apolitical shows, the newspaper said.

Most of the banners they unfolded and slogans they chanted on such occasions were not about ways to practise deep breathing and meditation, but their messages were unequivocally directed at the Chinese Government, it said.

The Hong Kong Commercial Daily also carried an article Thursday questioning about Falun Gong's legitimate status in Hong Kong, saying that Falun Gong has taken advantage of its legitimate status and the "one country, two systems" principle in Hong Kong to conduct its activities, but both of the shields are questionable.

The paper said that Falun Gong registered as a religious and cultural group in 1996 in Hong Kong. However, it has engaged in activities totally against its registered nature. Therefore, the legitimacy of such a group is doubtful, it said.

The Hong Kong group of the Falun Gong cult has turned into an outright political group, opposing the government and attempting to establish ties with foreign forces by inviting foreign cult followers to help them overstay and convening illegal conferences that break local laws, the article said.

The article said that Falun Gong has also distorted the notion of "one country, two systems" principle by assuming that "whatever they do in Hong Kong is allowed.

It pointed out that under the principle, Hong Kong and the mainland apply different legal means in fight against crimes such as homicide, arson, racketeering and drug-related crimes, but that does not mean Hong Kong will allow all activities outlawed on the mainland.

( Xinhuanet 2001/02/01 )