HONG KONG'S fears of post-1997 sporting independence was once and for all eased by Wei Jizhong, general-secretary of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC).
Wei dismissed a report in the Japanese mass-circulation Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper in which China's sports minister Wu Shaozu said the Chinese have yet to agree to Hong Kong competing independently at future Olympic Games and other international events after Britain hands over the territory.
The COC official said Wu was misquoted in the report, which came only a few days after International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch guaranteed Hong Kong's sporting independence after 1997.
He said the paper confused the Olympic and international issue with Hong Kong's possible participation in the September 1997 All-China Games in Shanghai.
Wu was quoted as saying: 'That was in keeping with Hong Kong's hopes. But China for its part has not yet agreed to it. We will make a decision through future consultation.' But Wei said: 'That report is wrong. According to the Basic Law, Hong Kong may continue its membership with the IOC and other international and Asian sporting events.
'After 1997, if Hong Kong is to participate in the Chinese national games, it will be up to the new special government in Hong Kong and China to decide whether they will take part.