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."