LU Ping's snubbing of the Governor of Hong Kong on his visit here next week sends a depressing message to the people of the territory. It seems to say that China has no interest in bridging the political divide. For the sake of an insult, China is prepared to risk damaging its own credibility as a calm and pragmatic sovereign power.
The snub is compounded by his decision to meet civil service associations, although at least this shows he is prepared to hear the views of those will be expected to make Hong Kong work after 1997.
The main purpose of the visit - attending the ceremony marking the Bank of China's debut as a note-issuing bank here - shows the Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office is also a man who cares about the territory's economic well-being. He is putting his anger at Britain's alleged perfidy aside and taking part in one of the most important gestures of confidence in the Sino-Hong Kong relationship either side has been prepared to make since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Airport in July, 1991.
Whatever the tensions of the political relationship, the Bank of China's new role is more than just a symbol of the return to Chinese sovereignty. The bank has acquired the prestige of being one of the three institutions privileged to issue notes - and has the prospect of becoming the main note-issuer in years to come. But it also has accepted responsibilities and obligations. It has taken on a commitment to helping maintain Hong Kong's economic equilibrium.
In an ironic twist not intended when Hong Kong agreed to the note-issuing function in 1991 (when the political through train was rocking dangerously but still on track) the bank's new role shows that the economic through-train is still firmly on the rails.
With the growing economic integration between Hong Kong and Southern China, and the large volumes of Hong Kong currency in circulation there, the Bank of China's higher profile in the territory is no more than a belated recognition of China's existing economic role here.
Mr Lu's decision to officiate at the note-issuing ceremony is an ideal opportunity for him to reaffirm China's commitment to making that integration work still more efficiently, for the benefit of both sides.