A DAB delegation to North America was forced to defend Hong Kong's autonomy after members were questioned by business people, politicians and officials over recent controversies.
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong chairman Tsang Yok-sing said concerns were expressed over Falun Gong, the controversial Chief Executive Election Ordinance and spy-case scholar Li Shaomin.
'They asked us whether Hong Kong really enjoys a high degree of autonomy,' he said after their 15-day visit to the US and Canada. The six-member delegation, led by Mr Tsang, visited New York, Washington, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Toronto and Ottawa from July 14 until last Sunday.
Mr Tsang said officials they met also raised the recent controversies but were generally positive about the implementation of 'one country, two systems'.
He said the impressions the people they met had of post-handover Hong Kong were governed by issues such as the right-of-abode saga and City University academic Dr Li, whose return to Hong Kong was approved after the delegation got back.
