HONG KONG, Jan 18 (AFP) - Hong Kong nudists hoping to establish Asia's first naturist area Tuesday asked the government to allow them to hire a deserted beach area so they can bare all without fear of arrest.
Simon Cheung, president of the Body Arts Association, said it was time the conservative Chinese city accepted nudity, following in the footsteps of famous nude beaches such as Le Cap d'Agde in France.
"Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city and there are advanced cities that allow (nudity), why can't Hong Kong have one?" Cheung told AFP.
If approved, it would be the first naturist area in Asia, Cheung said.
Public nudity is illegal in Hong Kong and offenders can be jailed for up to six months or fined 1,000 Hong Kong dollars (128 US dollars).
The organisation has presented a proposal to the council in Sai Kung, asking for permission to hire a deserted beach area in the rural district of the New Territories.
"We don't want to cause trouble so we want to be away from other people. If the government could give us the legal right then we don't have to do this in hiding," he said.
Cheung said he and fellow nudists currently meet in remote areas which cannot be reached by public transportation.
If granted a piece of land, Cheung said he would build holiday homes so locals and foreign tourists could come and enjoy outdoor activities in the nude.
Sai Kung district councillor Gary Fan said he had an open attitude towards Cheung's proposal and had consulted with some local residents and politicians, a majority of whom considered it "acceptable".
"But it might be acceptable for most young people, there are also the elderly and conservative people who have fiercely opposed the idea," Fan said.
While the government would conduct public consultation on the issue, a decision could take years, Fan said.
Cheung criticised those who considered nudity as "abnormal".
"People do not like nudity because it's always linked with pornography," he said.
"We do all healthy activities. We do everything that everyone enjoys -- but only without clothes," said 44-year-old Cheung, a professional advertising photographer.
The Body Arts Association set up in 2001 has 400 members who hold regular outlook activities and classes, such as yoga, painting, photography, hiking, playing volleyball and boating.
And Cheung has his philosophy about the benefits of nudity.
"When you are unhappy and stressed about work, it helps when you are naked in front of each other. We are all equal when you are naked and you can put all the bad things behind you," he said.
01/18/2005 12:30 GMT - AFP