HK airport talks fail

PEKING (Reuter) - Talks between Britain and China over the financing of a new Hong Kong airport ended in failure yesterday, raising the prospect of costly delays. A personal emissary from John Major, the Prime Minister, said China had raised many problems, including some political issues.

China says it is concerned that the spiralling cost of the new airport, currently put at pounds 12bn, could saddle the territory with huge debts after 1997. The project was announced in 1989 with the aim of restoring confidence in Hong Kong's future after the massacre of pro-democracy protesters in Peking. Talks continue next week.