Government issues warnings over Falun Gong 'banner war'
The authorities are finally moving to crack down on the unsightly, unauthorised banners put up by the Falun Gong and its opponents
The government has promised to step up enforcement against unauthorised banners in the city, in a move that is seen as a bid to bring an end to the bitter banner war between the Falun Gong spiritual movement and a pro-establishment group.
The Youth Care Association had in recent months begun putting up numerous anti-Falun Gong banners in places like Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, often over the spiritual movement's banners promoting their beliefs.
More than a hundred banners can be seen at the Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui.
The government said yesterday that it would issue warnings to those who put up unauthorised banners.
The banners would be cleared and the cost of removal would be borne by the offenders. Criminal prosecution was also an option, the government said.
"Apart from posing risks to road users, there were occasions in the past when representatives of individual groups quarrelled and scuffled with each other in the public places over the display of banners, causing a great nuisance or inconvenience to pedestrians," a government spokesman said.