China's petulance augurs the worst
Recent remarks by Chinese officials on the setting up of a provisional legislature, and over Hong Kong civil servants' loyalty to the new masters have caused alarm and consternation. The barrage of petulant statements and subsequent retractions indicates disarray within the Chinese camp.
Uncouth statements such as asking Governor Chris Patten to jump into the sea to recover the key for dialogue show the Chinese are spiteful and petty. The Chinese are blinded by hatred for Mr Patten and will continue to attack him even if that means harming the interests of Hong Kong.
During the latest saga, Frederick Fung Kin-kee, chairman of the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood (ADPL) and a member of the Preparatory Committee (PC), surprised many Hong Kong people when he emerged as the only PC member to vote against the proposal to set up a provisional legislature.
Ten days before the PC vote, I accused the ADPL of deceiving Hong Kong people by passing themselves off as democrats while helping to defend the Chinese Government's undemocratic policies.
Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Lu Ping, reacted angrily to Mr Fung's vote by declaring that he would not be eligible to sit on the provisional legislature or on the 400-member selection committee. Mr Lu's remark caused uproar in Hong Kong and was promptly retracted, with the excuse that it was his 'personal opinion'.
Then came the bombshell that Hong Kong Government officials not only have to publicly contradict the Governor by declaring their support for the provisional legislature, but have to resign later this year if they are picked to serve in the Special Administrative Region government.
Sensing the foul public mood, the Chinese also withdrew the threat about civil servants having to declare their support for the provisional legislature.
It is public knowledge that the PC includes some people who have either been used and discarded by the British or who have failed to get into the Hong Kong establishment.
They are spiteful and jealous and are doing their utmost to fan the flames of hatred and suspicion while they plot to lay their hands on certain key jobs.
To many Hong Kong people, these sycophantic have-beens and never-weres are more dangerous and despicable than the Chinese communists.
Last month I attended a dinner hosted by one of the consulates. It was a frightening eye-opener for all present, which included leaders of two political parties, a Hong Kong government policy secretary, a PC member, the editor of a local Chinese language daily and myself.
Almost the entire evening was dominated by the PC member who was exceedingly loud. After berating the pro-democracy lobby and predicting its imminent demise, the PC member then directed his venom at the Hong Kong official, forcing him to defend the sins of the British and Hong Kong Governments.
His overbearing demeanour gave the distinct impression that the Chinese authorities, advised by people like him, will do exactly as they please with little regard for local feelings.
Totally unprepared for such an unpleasant encounter, I told my host I found the atmosphere repugnant and did not want to be invited to such gatherings in future.
During my 15-year journalistic career and five years as a politician, I have met government officials from many countries but never anyone half as offensive and arrogant as the PC member.
If even a small potato can behave in such a manner in 1996, what kind of hellish experience should the Hong Kong people look forward to when the take-over actually occurs?
