BRUSSELS. Apr 3 : Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten warned here that China risked endangering its own trade prospects by threatening Britain with trade reprisals because of their quarrel over Hong Kong, reports AFP.

In a speech to businessmen and diplomats, he said the Chinese government might find it harder to reach the goal of membership of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) If Beijing con tinued to "Politicise'' trade.

Fallen said it would also be more difficulty to slop the United States from using trade as a political weapons against China if Beijing used the same weapon against Britain..

Speaking in defence of hts proposals to extend democracy In the British colony before

China takes tt over In 1997. he suggested that Bctjtng could only lose by under-mining the w. II being and prosperity on I long Kong.

The Chinese government broke off talks with Britain after Patten published ihc proposals on March 12. and this week warned, that the dispute could affect Sino-Brlllsh trade relations.

do not think there Is nvi. h to be said for dropping boulders on one's own feet," Fallen said.

Reacting to the surprise appointment of former acting I long Kong Governor Sir David Akers-Jones as adviser to the Chinese government^ he expressed the hope that the H- i'h official would advise B> ijing to cooperate with Lindon.