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On Saturday I was invited by the German chapter of the Reporters without Boundaries to address a journalists' conference in Berlin on the subject of the importance of press freedom to democracy in Hong Kong.

 A former chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, Daisy Li Yuet-wah, was also one of the speakers.

 The Berlin conference is yet another reminder that various people in the international community are keen to follow developments in Hong Kong after the Chinese takeover.

 Tomorrow, I will travel to Bonn to meet officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of parliament.

 I will also meet the vice-president of the Human Rights Committee of the European Parliament, Leonie van Bladel.

 The German visit is encouraging because the German government, particularly Chancellor Helmut Kohl, has given the impression that getting into the huge China market is more important than anything else.

 Within the European Union, the Germans and the French are vying hard for Chinese contracts. Other European powers also do not want to lose out.

 The Chinese government knows such money-hungry mentality only too well, hence President Jiang Zemin is going to the United States this week with a bagful of contracts - ingredients to ensure a successful state visit.

 Last week Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, visited Brussels to strengthen economic ties with the European Union.

 Although the European Parliament has recently appointed a rapporteur on Hong Kong, European officials were not eager to broach the sensitive subject of democracy and human rights.

 The US feels the same way. In his recent visit to Hong Kong, Assistant Secretary of State Stanley Roth pointedly said President Bill Clinton would not raise the subject of democracy in Hong Kong with Mr Jiang when the two meet later this month.

 Mr Roth gave the shocking excuse that democracy is a matter for Hong Kong.

 Such gross distortion ignores the fact that Beijing has consistently rejected Hong Kong people's demands for a quicker pace of democracy and has dictated a snail's pace for democratisation in Hong Kong's mini constitution, the Basic Law.

 Since the handover, I have been inundated with invitations by overseas organisations to speak on Hong Kong.

 Many people in Western countries are aware that their political and business leaders are blinded by commercial concerns.

 They do not share such a perspective and want to hear from the pro-democracy activists.

On my return from Germany later this week, I will plunge into another round of fund raising for my office as well as for The Frontier.

 Since being thrown out of the Legislative Council on July 1, I have used my own savings to run a modest office and hire two full time assistants.

 Some people still come to my office for help and even insist on calling me a Legislative Councillor.

 For all intents and purposes, I am performing functions of a legislator although I have no title or pay.

 Earlier this month, I spent two days standing on a street corner in Central and Causeway Bay soliciting donations for the running of my office. I collected almost $290,000. Many people urged me to have no fear and to struggle on.

 I am deeply touched and overwhelmed by the generous support. The people have spoken with their actions. I will do my best not to let them down.



Leaders blinded by business concerns