THE Government is determined to have Hongkong representation on the British team should talks take place with China on political reform, with the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Michael Sze Cho-cheung, expected to be the second most senior memberof the British negotiating team.
The British team would be led by the British Ambassador to China, Sir Robin McLaren, and include Mr Sze; the Hongkong Government's Political Adviser, Mr William Ehrman; and the head of the Foreign Office's Hongkong Department, Mr Peter Ricketts, according to British thinking.
This is in sharp contrast with Beijing's view that Hongkong officials should not only be excluded from talks but serve only as support staff to Sir Robin's team.
Sharp differences between the two sides continue to prevent Beijing and London from making any announcement on when the talks can begin.
The Governor, Mr Chris Patten, and his top policy advisers will assess the latest situation at today's Executive Council meeting.
Mr Patten is also expected to be grilled by legislators at a question time session at the Legislative Council on Thursday afternoon.
Dissatisfied with Mr Patten's answer at last Friday's special Legco meeting to explain the reason for delaying the gazetting of the bill for the 1994/95 electoral arrangements, liberal legislators want to press the Governor on the subject and demand no further delays in gazetting the bill.