BRITISH Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd said early today (Hong Kong time) that 'the time has come' for China to help break the deadlock over Hong Kong's transition.
On the eve of his meeting in New York with Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, Mr Hurd said he would press the point that progress had to be made.
Noting the recent lack of movement in the Joint Liaison Group, Mr Hurd said 'it is the great interest of China and Britain that Hong Kong should succeed'.
Mr Hurd said it was not a question of asking China to make concessions to Britain.
'We are not asking for any gracious favours to Britain. We're asking for the co-operation which is essential for the success of Hong Kong.' However, Mr Hurd refused to be drawn on the exact points he would be making to the Chinese during the meeting, which is expected to be held at 9.30 pm (Hong Kong time).
Earlier in the day, the semi-official Hong Kong China News Agency said Sino-British co-operation would be doomed if London was willing to co-operate only on issues to its benefit.
It said transitional issues would remain unresolved if Britain continued to go it alone on certain matters.