Patten Tries to Ease Fears in Hong Kong

HONG KONG — Britain and China attempted to soothe worries Thursday about Chinese troops in Hong Kong, and Gov. Chris Patten urged the colony to accept underground Communist activity as a fact of life.

Patten was answering questions in the legislature for the last time before Hong Kong returns to Chinese sovereignty July 1.

He said his greatest regret was failing to persuade China to accept his democratic reforms, and his greatest pride was making Hong Kong “more self-confident and more prepared to stand up for itself.”

The most immediate issue he faces stems from an incident involving the deputy commander of the Chinese military garrison that will serve in Hong Kong, who reportedly had a run-in with Hong Kong customs officials at the border last month.

The matter raised fears that China’s People’s Liberation Army is setting itself above the law.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Cui Tiankai, also played down the incident, saying: “Don’t listen to and believe rumors.”

Patten faced another touchy issue when he was asked why Hong Kong authorities tolerated underground Communist activities.

“Part of the stability of Hong Kong is that we know when to close one eye,” he said, and advised China to take a similar approach to those in Hong Kong whose opinions it dislikes.

Some in Hong Kong have urged Communists to openly register as a political party. But a leading pro-China politician, Tsang Yok-sing, said he doubted the Chinese government “wants to see it happen.”