Sir David rejects claims of betrayal

SIR David Akers-Jones yesterday rejected criticism in the British press that accepting an appointment as one of China's Hongkong affairs advisers was tantamount to betraying his country.

The Independent carried reports accusing the retired chief secretary of losing his patriotism to Britain by taking up the post, making his former colleagues feel ashamed.

''I don't like it [the criticisms], I don't enjoy it, I think it's unjust,'' Sir David said.

''Far from betraying Britain, far from betraying Hongkong, I am doing my best, as best as I can, to help Hongkong and to secure a good and happy future for Hongkong.'' He said there was a lack of understanding in Britain about disputes between China and Hongkong and the role of advisers.

''We have been chosen because of the knowledge and experience we have of Hongkong. But I think there is a lot of misunderstanding in Britain.

''People don't see things in black and white. They are a long way from the action and don't know what are the questions and what are the problems on the table.'' He said he was not pessimistic about the dispute between China and Britain, which he thought was a temporary phase that would last just a few months.

''Why am I not pessimistic? Because I have seen Hongkong come through so many difficult situations in the past. I am quite sure Hongkong will come through this one.'' Sir David said he had not raised the issue of Sino-British talks when he met Chinese officials in Beijing for the official appointment ceremony last week.

''I certainly didn't discuss or raise the question of negotiation. I think this is really out of our hands and a matter for the two Governments,'' Sir David said. He hoped both governments would soon get down to negotiation.

He said the Hongkong affairs advisers had neither received any invitation nor any hint that they would join the working groups for the preparation of the future Special Administrative Region's government.