Question over its political future

Britain Seeks EU Support for Democracy in Hong Kong

It is seeking a unanimous call from all European Union members for fair and open elections in the colony as soon as possible after next week's handover.

Britain will press its concerns over democracy in Hong Kong at an EU meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday.

It comes after the Government backed down over its boycott of the Chinese ceremony to swear in Hong Kong's unelected new legislature.

The man due to become Britain's top diplomat in Hong Kong after the handover to China, Francis Cornish, will attend the ceremony, together with other officials.

Outgoing legislature

"There has never been any question of British ministers attending any ceremony concerning the swearing in of the provisional legislature," said the Foreign Office.

"This will not in any way imply approval of the setting-up of the provisional legislature to which we remain adamantly opposed," said the Foreign Office.

The decision to send officials was the second back-down by Britain this week after it agreed that China could send more than 500 troops with 39 vehicles into the colony three hours before British rule ends.

The Foreign Secretary Robin Cook will brief his European colleagues on the handover arrangements in the meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

Britain was pleased at the declarations on Hong Kong from the EU Amsterdam summit and the meeting of the G7 in Denver underlining the importance attached to China keeping to its obligations under the Joint Declaration to maintain Hong Kong's way of life and freedoms.

Mr Cook wants the EU to agree to press Beijing for elections for a new legislature for Hong Kong no later than 12 months from now.