''Although the need to start preparatory work on the future government is recognised, one must admit that the working body is a political establishment.'' To help the body make decisions more in line with public expectations, Mr Lee said there should be elected representatives on it.

But Tsang Yok-sing, chairman of the pro-China Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hongkong, disagreed.

''The body is not a power centre, it is a statutory working body under Chinese law. We should not insist there should be elected representatives sitting on the panel,'' he said.

''The decisions it makes are not policies, and it will only give advice to the SAR Preparatory Committee on the setting up of the future government.'' Mr Tsang said the working body should be more transparent and receptive to local opinion, but it was not necessary to have local delegates to the National People's Congress (NPC) attend meetings where the establishment of the body would be discussed.

The proposal to set up the working body is on the agenda of a NPC Standing Committee meeting that begins tomorrow in Beijing.

Mr Tsang said Hongkong views had been adequately reflected when the Guangdong delegation to the NPC, which comprised Hongkong representatives, made the proposal to the congress.

Meeting Point chairman Anthony Cheung Ping-leung was disappointed that local delegates had not been invited to join the meeting, although he supported the setting up of the body.

''I think it is unfortunate that the Standing Committee has not invited local NPC delegates to sit at the sessions. The issue pending discussion is serious and of great interest to the people of Hongkong,'' he said.

Meeting Point members will visit Beijing on Thursday to discuss transitional matters.