Language: <F P=105> Chinese </F> Article Type:BFN <F P=106> ["Random Notes on Hong Kong" by Zhong Yan (6988 1693): </F> "Confession by the Last Governor of Hong Kong"] [Text] Recently, Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten published an article entitled "Go Against the North Wind." The meaning is quite clear: To go against China through to the end on the Hong Kong issue. Why has Chris Patten no scruples about declaring his stand of going against China through to the end? Just as he said in his article, the reason is that what he has done since he became governor of Hong Kong has been criticized and condemned not only by China and people of Hong Kong, but also by people in Britain. He said: "Some criticisms have appeared in both Britain and Hong Kong." But he also found excuses to console himself: "In an open and free society, such criticisms may appear." As a mater of fact, if there had only been "some" criticisms, there was no need for the governor to personally write such a long article to explain himself over such trifles. The most important point of the article is that Chris Patten was trying hard to explain that all he had done was in the interests of the Hong Kong people. He wrote: "Our responsibility toward the citizens of Hong Kong should be put first." This British Hong Kong governor is really more concerned about Hong Kong than the Hong Kong people. For this reason, he feels it unfair that the Hong Kong people are criticizing and condemning him instead of saying thank you to him. But for the Hong Kong people, of course the Hong Kong Chinese, what should be put first is certainly that they should be treated as real Chinese people of China rather than a conquered people in a colony, and the first responsibility of Britain is to ensure a smooth return of Hong Kong to China in accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration. In fact, responsibility toward the citizens of Hong Kong advocated by Chris Patten is actually for the colonialist interests of the British Empire. Some people criticized what he had done as "jeopardizing more extensive Sino-British relations." To refute this criticism he said: "Hong Kong is the biggest and most important component part of these relations." What is more, "judging from a long-term point of view, our position in China and Asia may, to a great extent, be decided by how we discharge our responsibility in Hong Kong in a dignified manner." People cannot but ask: Why is Hong Kong the biggest and most important part of Sino-British relations? To the Chinese people, the following is understandable: Hong Kong was plundered after the Opium War, a war of aggression launched by Britain against China. The Chinese people will never forget this national humiliation. If this humiliation is not wiped out, there can be no harmonious Sino- British relations. However, this is obviously not what Chris Patten meant. Then what did he mean by saying Hong Kong is the "biggest and most important" part of Sino-British relations? Did he mean that the British Empire will not resign itself to the return of its richest colony to China, the rightful owner? People will also ask: Why will the position of Britain in China and Asia be decided by how Britain discharges its responsibility in Hong Kong in a dignified manner? What position does Britain want to have in China and in Asia? What is the meaning of a "dignified manner"? If Britain ensures a smooth return of Hong Kong to China in accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration, is it not a practice in a "dignified manner?" Can it not help improve the image of Britain and increase its position in China and Asia? Does Britain really want to return Hong Kong to China only in name while preserving its position as the "governor" to show the power and prestige of the British Empire and go on playing the tyrant in China and Asia as a colonialist? In this respect, what Chris Patten meant is quite clear. In his article, Chris Patten brutally attacked China as a "villain." In fact, this is the right word for Mr. Patten himself. He threatened that if China did not obey the "governor's" arrangement, it should not expect Britain would agree to its return to GATT. Although Chris Patten has taken great pains to protect the interests of the British Empire, he is not admired by some domestic opinion. Instead, he has been criticized and condemned. That is why he feels somewhat wronged. Chris Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong, has been trying hard to preserve an actual colonial position in Hong Kong and revitalize the colonialist power and prestige of the old British Empire. Unfortunately, all this is but a day dream. This article is actually a confession by Chris Patten, who has been driven to the wall, to prove his loyalty to British colonialism.
A Chinese writer, Zhong Yan, says that since Chris Patten has become governor of Hong Kong he has been going against China. For this he has been criticized and condemned by China, and people in Hong Kong and Britain. While Patten says that his responsibility toward the citizens of Hong Kong should be first, the writer says that Patten is more concerned about the colony than the people. He also chides Patten for saying that Hong Kong is the most important part of Sino-British relations. The author said that China will not allow any interference into its internal affairs.