They arrived after a 16-year enforced absence. They set out to win over the Guangzhou public - but instead received a lecture from a local housewife on not causing trouble. Pro-democracy legislators Lee Wing-tat, Cheung Man-kwong and Sin Chung-kai decided yesterday to rise early to meet the crowds before the second day of their hectic Pearl River Delta tour began. The trio took a casual morning stroll beside the Pearl River in the city's Shamian district, stopping to chat with residents, playing badminton with morning exercisers and being invited to take breakfast with a retired couple. 'The last time I was here was 20 years ago. Much has changed,' said Democratic Party leader Mr Lee. 'People then had to follow official instructions to do their morning exercise. They are much freer now.' The Hong Kong legislators were warmly welcomed by local people, even though most struggled to put a name to their faces. 'I see them on Hong Kong TV all the time. But I can't exactly remember who they are,' said 50-year-old morning exerciser Lin Meihua. The democrats joined retired couple Zhou Xian and his wife Huang Mangli for breakfast outside the Victoria Hotel. They shared dim sum and local wine and discussed topics ranging from Maoist teaching to Hong Kong Disneyland. But Ms Huang, 65, could not refrain from lecturing the visitors. 'China is rich and powerful now and our society is free. We are of one family. We should support each other and discuss things in harmony. Bickering is no good. Even the Taiwanese and the Americans have to sit down and talk with us,' she said. 'You should focus yourselves on improving Hong Kong's economy.' Martin Lee Chu-ming, said his impression of the trip was spoiled by selective screening of Hong Kong media reports on the visit. A mainland resident phoned the former Democrat chairman late on Sunday and complained the local government had edited out parts of ATV's evening news. 'I was shocked and I watched the evening news on TVB and it was true. I will discuss this with Guangdong officials,' he said.
