960408

China steps up

anti-British

campaign in Hong Kong

HONG KONG: Beijing mounted a withering attack on Britain on Monday as a handpicked committee of advisers responsible for reasserting Chinese control over Hong Kong prepared to hold its first meeting in the British colony.

Beijing-funded papers published in Hong Kong ridiculed Britain's human rights record, accused London of conspiring to retain control after the transfer of power on June 30, 1997, and even derided the British diet.

The weekend meeting will focus on the selection process that will lead to the appointment of a 400-strong caucus that will in turn select the Chief Executive -- the first post-colonial governor of Hong Kong.

"It is not important who will be chosen for the Selection Committee, but it is important that the selection process is accountable to the people of Hong Kong," said an editorial in the Ta Kung Pao newspaper, which reflects Beijing's views.

The Preparatory Committee has not got off to a winning start in Hong Kong eyes.

Beijing struck a raw nerve by excluding Hong Kong's Democrats, the most successful party in last year's elections, from all aspects of the transition. It then moved to silence a sole dissenting voter at the committee's first meeting in Beijing in March.

Hundreds of Hong Kong people took to the streets to protest against the committee's first decision -- to dismantle the colony's elected legislature and replace it with an appointed chamber.

Tens of thousands more Hong Kong people demonstrated their views with their feet, rushing to obtain British travel documents even though the papers do not permit them to live in Britain.

Some of those who queued for hours described the document as insurance, allowing them to travel out of Hong Kong should they feel the need.

The Ta Kung Pao sought to discredit the Democrats, describing them as conspiring with Britain to extend colonial rule in Hong Kong beyond the handover.

The Democrats have not spared Britain in their criticism of the handling of the handover. Party leader Martin Lee has accused London of putting trade ties with China over Hong Kong's future, comments denied by the British government.

British Prime Minister John Major pledged during a visit to Hong Kong last month that Britain would "pursue every legal and other avenue available" if China chose to trample on freedoms enjoyed in the economically-vibrant territory.

Hong Kong people know there is little London could actually do but the Beijing-funded Wen Wei Po nevertheless sought to paint Britain as helpless.

Britain, the newspaper said on Monday, had the worst human rights record in Europe. Sweat shops still exist in Britain because teenage workers have the lowest wages in Europe, and half of British schoolchildren under the age of 16 had to work part-time at the expense of full-time adult workers.

Unemployed British families, the paper said, had to eat potatoes six days a week and could afford steak only once a week, comments that Hong Kong's well-informed people may view with scepticism.-Reuter