The Hong Kong National Olympic Committee yesterday urged the territory's sports leaders to dispel any lingering doubts about the territory's post-1997 sporting future following a visit to Beijing by a large local delegation at the weekend.
Con Conway, vice-president of the Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee (ASF & OC), said the visit, while not a waste of time, served only to confirm what was already known.
The ASF & OC last year came under fire from certain legislators who felt the body had not done enough to ensure Hong Kong would be able to compete as a separate entity after the handover to Chinese rule in July, 1997.
The delegation, led by local tycoon Henry Fok, included Sports Development Board chief executive Andrew Ma, Hong Kong Sports Institute director Dennis Whitby and around 30 representatives from local sports associations.
They met with top Chinese leaders including China's sports supremo Wu Shaozu, who once again gave reassurances on the territory's post-1997 sporting independence.
Said Conway: 'It has been made manifestly clear from international leaders and the Basic Law that Hong Kong will be able to compete as a separate body after 1997.