Hong Kong Democrats Appeal to New Government

Martin Lee warned that China was attempting to bypass democracy by setting up an appointed parliament to rule Hong Kong. He accused the Conservatives, who negotiated the terms of the handover, of betraying Hong Kong by bowing to the interests of big businesses.

Speaking at a London press conference ahead of meetings with the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary on Wednesday, Mr Lee urged the new Government to listen to his concerns.

"The message we have brought to London is a very urgent one," said Mr Lee. "There are now only 30 odd days left before Hong Kong is returned to China. China is already attempting to legislate before that. The clear intention is to have an appointed legislature replace us."

Mr Lee called on Tony Blair to honour Britain's obligations in Hong Kong. "We don't see the British Government doing anything about it," he said. "We have come to persuade the new Labour Government to do the honourable thing and keep our freedoms. Time is running out."

Mr Lee added that China's actions could be challenged in court, but said Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten had refused his assistance. "The Conservative government appeared clearly to have been under a lot of pressure from the big British businesses who didn't want the government to do the honourable thing, which is to defend the freedoms of our people," he said.

"The British government under the Conservatives didn't actually do anything. I hope the Labour Government will say to China that they are breaking the joint declaration signed in 1994 by appointing this provisional legislature." Mr Lee said that he would also be raising the plight of Vietnamese refugees with ministers, calling on them to resettle some in Britain.

He said that he believed he could be in personal danger after the handover. "The likelihood of me being imprisoned is remote," he said. "But it would be naive of me to exclude the possibility entirely." Mr Lee, whose party won 65% of the vote at the last election in Hong Kong, will meet John Major on Thursday morning.