THE British Foreign Secretary, Mr Malcolm Rifkind, flies into a political quarrel this evening over, the future of Hong Kong's democratic elections and human rights laws, which China plans to roll aback after taking over in July.
Tempers flared this week as Mr Tung Cheehwa, Hong Kong's future leader appointed by China, attacked the territory's Democratic Party, which he said had blackened Hong Kong's name by spreading doomsday forecasts.
Mr Rifkind will meet Mr Tung and legislators during his three days in the colony, placing himself in the crossfire but possibly taking sides against Mr Tung.
Public opinion has been turning against Mr Tung due to his increasingly authoritarian policy statements.
A poll last week showed his approval rating had shrunk to 58.5 per cent from 64.6 per cent a month earlier, falling behind the colony's governor, Mr Chris Patten, who scored 59.1 per cent.
"Not only is there public disquiet and growing unease about, whim in the public service, but doubts are now simmering among foreign businessmen based in Hong Kong about the way the place is to be run from July," said the Economist magazine.