HONG KONG, Feb. 16, 01 (CWNews.com) - Demonstrators in Hong Kong on Friday protested against government statements against the spiritualist Falun Gong movement following a ban imposed by the Communist government in Beijing. About 20 people representing Christian and human rights groups gathered outside the offices of Governor Tung Cheehwa to protest recent comments about Falun Gong, which is technically legal in Hong Kong despite China's ban. Tung last week referred to the group as "[Chinese government's slanderous word]," echoing similar statements out of Beijing. A statement issued by the protesters and signed by 30 local organizations accused the government of being "unreasonable and unjust" and infringing on freedoms in the former British colony, which was guaranteed a high degree of autonomy when it reverted to Chinese control in July 1997. The groups will press the government to clarify its stand on Falun Gong in a special meeting next Tuesday. [...]