Beijing says Britain seeking confrontation over Hong Kong

Beijing says Britain seeking confrontation over Hong Kong

By Peter Lim

HONG KONG (AFP): China has launched a new campaign to stop Britain undermining efforts to build up its controversial shadow administration preparing for next year's handover.

Beijing stepped up pressure on the colonial government in Hong Kong with a commentary accusing the British side of "seeking confrontation rather than cooperation" over the change of sovereignty.

Analysts said Britain could expect more of the same in coming months as China seeks to further divert the influence of Governor Chris Patten and boost the presence of its own Preparatory Committee.

"Beijing believes it is in a strong position to exert more pressure on London," said political commentator Joseph Cheng. He said Beijing negotiators believe their British counterparts have "no bargaining chips" left in the remaining 421 days to the handover on July 1 1997.

"I believe the British side will not continue to antagonize Beijing if it is to retain its business interests in China," he said.

Cheng noted that London and Beijing had always managed in the past to reach consensus despite frequent bickering.

Beijing unveiled its Preparatory Committee two months ago to put in place the post-1997 administration.

But Beijing leaders have repeatedly accused Britain of hindering the work of the committee of businessman, pro-Beijing politicians and Chinese officials.

New antagonism has been caused by China's promise to scrap the Legislative Council -- directly elected for four years from last September -- and put in place a provisional legislature from next July 1.

The commentary released by the official Xinhua news agency accused the British administration of seeking "confrontation rather than cooperation" over the 10 demands from the Preparatory Committee (PC).

"The government has made use of an excuse claiming that six of the 10 demands need further clarification before consideration can be given and rejected cooperation" with the provisional legislature, the commentary said.

"The PC's only hope is that the British side will help its work, but it does not mean the Preparatory Committee can do nothing without the British side," Xinhua warned.

The committee's demands focus on help in setting up the provisional legislature and a new bureaucracy and judiciary. It has controversially sought information about the government and airtime on government-run radio and television to put its case.

Tsang Yok-sing, chairman of the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, said it was possible for China and Britain to minimize conflicts over the caretaker legislatures.

"After all, the British want an honorable retreat and the Chinese a smooth transition," he said. "Both sides have good reason to be pragmatic and deal with their differences with more flexibility."

The committee also wants the government to provide offices and necessary data for the chief executive-designate of the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The list was submitted a month ago to the Hong Kong government, but clarification was sought by Patten who infuriated Beijing with his democratic reforms.

Legislator David Chu, who is a Preparatory Committee member, told Hong Kong radio that the government should give China "face" in return for China giving the territory "grace and space."

"Hong Kong must return to its previous cooperation if it was to prosper after 1997." He said tension could be defuse by "quiet, effective diplomacy."