CHINA has blocked a tour by the English National Ballet, and in doing so forestalled a probable visit to Beijing by Princess Diana, the ballet's patron.
China gave no reason for its decision but diplomatic sources believe it resulted from the strained relationship with Britain over Hong Kong.
The ballet's London office yesterday said that its plan for a Beijing gala in July, followed by a tour of China's provinces, was blocked by order of the Chinese Ministry of Culture.
It said the ministry, at the last minute, refused to issue the official invitations required for the tour to proceed.
Buckingham Palace said Princess Diana probably would have joined the trip, had it gone ahead.
'The princess was aware of the tour but no official arrangement had been made for her to go. But I am sure she would have jumped at it if the opportunity had occurred: she has never been to China,' a spokesman for Princess Diana said.
Senior diplomatic sources in London believe the Chinese decision almost certainly was linked to the continuing disagreements over Hong Kong, and growing fears these would escalate in the early summer.