Published by: World Tibet Network News, Monday, Apr 29, 1996

By James Cox, USA TODAY

04/29/96 - 11:29 AM

HONG KONG - The British governor of Hong Kong, battling China's latest efforts to limit dissent in the colony, visits the United States on Friday to plead China's case on trade.

Gov. Chris Patten begins his week-long U.S. tour amid a campaign by China to root out political opposition before it reclaims Hong Kong from Britain on July 1, 1997.

Patten, in an interview, called recent moves by China "profoundly unsettling" for Hong Kong's 6 million residents. He accused China of an "assault of dimwitted propaganda" on him and the territory's democratic lawmakers.

Even so, Patten will urge members of Congress not to deny, or put conditions on, most-favored-nation status for Chinese goods, since that would hurt Hong Kong trade.

"It is not for me or for Hong Kong to defend China's record on human rights, arms proliferation or trade practices," Patten told local business leaders Friday. But "MFN should not be used as a weapon."

Much of the $45.5 billion in annual U.S.-China trade moves through free-market Hong Kong. China and the United States are Hong Kong's largest trading partners.

The territory stands to lose 90,000 jobs and half of its anticipated 5% economic growth if China is denied MFN, which qualifies Chinese goods for normal U.S. tariffs and duties.

Without MFN, imports from China would be subject to punitive tariffs that would price them out of the U.S. market.

President Clinton has vowed to extend China's MFN status for another year, but Congress could overturn his decision.

Some in Congress want conditional renewal. That would give them the right to revoke MFN if China fails to make good on its pledge to give Hong Kong "a high degree of autonomy" when the island reverts to Chinese control next year.

"Thanks, but no thanks," Patten said of this approach. "If you want to help Hong Kong, the best way" is to renew MFN.

Hong Kong has the potential to emerge as a new source of friction between the United States and China. In the past year, the two have quarreled over Taiwan, human rights, nuclear arms components' sales, copyright piracy, and U.S. opposition to China's joining the World Trade Organization.

Anti-China sentiment in Congress is high. Key members, including Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) have cautioned China not to threaten Hong Kong's freedoms.

But in recent weeks China:

Restated its determination to replace Hong Kong's elected legislature with an appointed one that is likely to exclude democratic lawmakers.

Pressured Hong Kong judges and civil servants to show allegiance to the mainland by backing creation of the appointed legislature.

Demanded time to air its views on radio and TV stations that are owned by the Hong Kong government but are editorially independent.

Argued that Hong Kong is a purely economic city that does not need Western-style democracy to thrive.

Barred teachers' groups and democratic lawmakers from meetings designed to give residents a chance to speak out on China's transition plans.

In addition, documents leaked from mainland China to the territory's Chinese-language press suggest China plans to exile Hong Kong's democracy activists after 1997.

"Again and again, given the opportunity of a confidence-building gesture, given the opportunity of smiling, they scowl," Patten said.

Pro-democracy protesters hounded a top mainland official when he visited Hong Kong this month. They blocked his motorcade and held noisy demonstrations wherever he had meetings.

Beijing-controlled newspapers in Hong Kong replied with a blistering attack on Patten, blaming him for inciting protesters who scuffled with police.

"There is a Chinese tradition of trying to isolate and bring down anyone who disagrees with you," Patten said. "If they are just abusing you, you must have a pretty good argument."