Hong Kong's government indicated it would press ahead with controversial anti-subversion legislation, one day after massive demonstrations in the city against the new laws.
More than 500,000 protestors took to Hong Kong's streets on Tuesday in an unprecedented display of public discontent against the new law.
The protest -- the biggest in Hong Kong since more than one million rallied after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre -- was portrayed by media and analysts Wednesday as a warning to the government of chief executive Tung Chee-hwa.
Critics of the government say the legislation, being considered under Article 23 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution, could erode political freedom six years after the territory's return to Chinese rule.
Several newspapers said Wednesday Tung's administration should postpone the legislation's passage into the statute books and seek further public consultation. The bill is due to become law on July 9.
However Hong Kong justice secretary Elsie Leung said Wednesday she was unaware of any moves to postpone the bill's implemenation.
"Up to now, there is not any news the legislation will be delayed," Leung told local Cable TV in an interview. "The legislation of the law is completely a decision of the government."
Tung was tight-lipped after a meeting with his cabinet on Wednesday. However he said in a statement late Tuesday that enactment of national security legislation was a constitutional duty for Hong Kong.
Arthur Li, secretary of education and manpower, said Wednesday he understood the protestors concerns, but insisted the new laws "will not affect all freedoms and rights of the people."
"However, the government must act according to what the constitution calls for it to do," Li said.
Security secretary Regina Ip last weekend ruled out further changes to the proposed legislation, which has been amended 51 times in the past three months alone.
Pro-democracy legislators, meanwhile, warned of more protests if the government pushed through the law next week as scheduled.
"We will have no option. We will surround the Legislative Council building next week," said lawmaker Lee Chuk-yan, a spokesman for the Civil Human Rights Fronts, which organised the mass protests on Tuesday.
"We don't want the government to understand, but to respond by delaying the legislation", Lee said.
Outspoken Bishop Joseph Zen, head of Hong Kong's Catholic Church, also warned of "unforseen consequences" if the government passed the law.
"I'm afraid sooner or later something will happen," Zen told reporters, without elaborating.
However, Tsang Yok-sing, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, said Tuesday's march would not affect his party's support for the new law.
He said the proposals in their current form strike the right balance in protecting national security and safeguarding people's rights.
"Why not legislate the bill first, and we will clearly see if that is the case in two or three years," Tsang said.
Under the Basic Law, Hong Kong is obliged to pass legislation banning treason, sedition, subversion and the theft of state secrets.
Critics are concerned that China could use it to suppress freedoms, prevent reports of government abuse, prevent protests against the government and harm access to legal representation.
They also fear it will allow authorities to crush groups that are outlawed in China but presently allowed to practice in Hong Kong, such as the Falun Gong spiritual movement.
They also say the definitions for "subversive" or "secessionist" elements are too vague and open to abuse.