SHADOW Foreign Secretary Robin Cook hopes to visit Hong Kong in January, having been forced to postpone a trip next week because of a change of timetable at Westminster.
Mr Cook, who could be Foreign Secretary at the time of the 1997 handover if Labour holds its lead in the opinion polls, had made it clear he would not comment at length on Hong Kong or China until he had visited both the territory and Beijing.
Officials had worked for weeks to arrange a programme for him in Hong Kong where he was to meet Governor Chris Patten, Legislative Councillors and other senior figures.
He was then due to travel to Beijing for more talks with senior figures there.
But a major debate on the European Union is now set for next Thursday.
It will be led by Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind so Mr Cook is obliged to be there to lead the Labour front bench team.
