The action came after a South Korean farmer stabbed himself in the chest during the demonstrations in Cancun yesterday. He later died in hospital. The man's friend said his suicide was an 'act of sacrifice' to show his disgust at the WTO and its policies.

Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen is representing Hong Kong at the meeting.

While calling his group 'critical and radical', the network spokesman in Hong Kong, Lam Chi-leung, said yesterday he regretted the Korean protester's death.

'We are sorry to hear about it,' he said. 'We don't think violence is needed in all protests. But our stance is clear. We don't welcome the WTO trade deal agreement and will take each and every opportunity to tell the world about it.'

Mr Lam said the group's main concern was the General Agreement on Trade in Services (Gats).

'Since Gats counts water supply, medical services and education as services, if the Hong Kong government signs the agreement, we will have to open up our market to all competitors,' he said.

Mr Lam said the network feared the grassroots community would be further marginalised through the trend of market privatisation and growth of monopolies.

The group plans to stage another protest on Sunday to show its discontent over the WTO summit.

Deputy chairman of the Legislative Council security panel James To Kun-sun said he was confident that Hong Kong police could handle radical anti-globalisation protesters if Hong Kong won the bid to host the WTO's sixth ministerial meeting in 2004.

'There are more radical protesters in the States and Europe,' he said.

'It's easier for protesters to drive down to Mexico from the United States. But the cost of them coming to Hong Kong is far greater. So, I don't think there will be as many protesters.

'The police should be able to control the situation. But, of course, it would be difficult for any police in the world to prevent radical behaviour from protesters such as the one who went to great lengths to kill himself.'