HONG KONG's future leader, Mr Tung Chee-hwa, famed his inner cabinet yesterday against a backdrop of "diplomatic Warnings and public protests over China's proposals to dilute Hong Kong's civil liberties.
"There are many capable and dedicated people in the community. Regrettably I cannot include them all in the Executive Council," Mr Tung said.
Among Mr Tung's appointees were Sir S.Y. Chung, a veteran adviser to previous colonial governors, and two members of the cabinet of the current Governor, Mr Chris Patten - the housing authority chief, Ms Rosanna Wong, and a businessman, Mr Raymond Ch'ien.
The former Chief Justice, Mr Ti Liang Yang, who gave up his British knighthood to challenge Mr Tung for the post of chief executive, also made the cut for the 15-member inner circle.
Absent were members of Hong Kong's pro-democracy parties, who have been vocal critics of Beijing in the run-up to the territory's return to Chinese rule on June 30th after more than 150 years as a British colony.
On Friday, democrats said they were not surprised by Mr Tung's choices, most of whom are prominent in the pro-Beijing lobby and sit on China-appointed bodies responsible for the handover.
"They fit Mr Tung's style as he is also a conservative himself in his political outlook," said the vice-chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr Yeung Sum.
Mr Tung (59), a shipping magnate, was selected by a 400-member China-picked panel in December as chief executive of post-colonial Hong Kong.
China has promised the territory a large degree of autonomy, but worries over China's intentions emerged after a Beijing-controlled committee recommended plans to scrap or amend 25 laws, including part of Hong Kong's human rights bill.
The plans prompted protests in the territory and diplomatic words of caution from London and Washington, which China rejected.
Britain stepped up its diplomatic offensive yesterday during a meeting between Mr Hugh Davies, the leader of London's delegation to the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group responsible for transitional matters, and his, Chinese counterpart, Mr Zhao Jihua.
Mr Zhao accused the British of "staging a show" and said the proposed changes would not weaken freedoms in Hong Kong.
Mr Davies dismissed the claims. "It's certainly not a show because we strongly believe that some of the recommendations ... are actually wrong in law," he said.
Hong Kong's democracy movement began a series of protests against Beijing's plans yesterday as protesters donned dunce caps to parody the actions of China's Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution.
"I think he [Mr Tung] should explain to the Chinese leaders that there is nothing to fear about our existing laws," the Democratic Party leader, Mr Martin Lee, said.
On Thursday, Mr Tung said the proposals did not involve human rights but were a matter of weighing freedoms against responsibilities. He also said other states required permits for rallies and set limits on overseas links of political groups has responded by drawing attention to pro-China politicians now serving on China's handover committee who had backed the rights bill when it was debated in 1991.
"There is a difference between an about-turn and a revolving door," Mr Patten said.
Amnesty International said yesterday the amendments would give post-handover authorities greater leeway to ban protests and make it easier for them to shut down non-governmental organisations.