Sect's peripheral protests make little impact on delegates

Lack of interest may have been a bigger barrier to groups hoping to get the sympathy of forum delegates than the remoteness of the protest zone.

'I'm not paying much attention to it. I'm focused on my business,' said Jim Davis, a US-based senior vice-president of software company SAS. He was 'briefly' aware of protests through the media.

Another delegate, Philip Randall, did not want to comment on 'that sort of thing' when asked whether human rights issues were of concern at such a forum.

Mr Randall, managing partner of global operations for Arthur Andersen, noted security was so high that even an emergency lift phone in his hotel had been given a security sticker.

On Tuesday the United States asked for information from the Hong Kong Government on why immigration procedures had apparently been 'used arbitrarily to deny entry to some American citizens, which could have the effect of limiting the freedom of association and belief, and restricting the free flow of ideas'.

A spokeswoman for Fortune said organisers would closely monitor the Falun Gong situation given their support as a media organisation for peaceful freedom of expression. 'If the allegations [about detentions and deportations] are correct, it's something we would want to stay informed about because we do support people's rights to express different opinions,' she said.