The Last Governor: Chris Patten and the Handover of Hong Kong by Jonathan Dimbleby

Author:Jonathan Dimbleby [Dimbleby, Jonathan]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Presidents & Heads of State
ISBN: 9781526700643
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2017-08-29T16:00:00+00:00

This ‘understanding’ had allowed Lord Young, among others, to nurture his relationship with China – even when, as a member of the Cabinet, he was subject to the bar on ministerial meetings with the Chinese imposed by the European Community after the Tiananmen Square ‘miscalculation’. Young thought that it was ‘extraordinarily important to keep the relationship going’, regardless of the sanctions. To this end he even managed to arrange a meeting to discuss the expansion of the Anglo-French nuclear plant at Daya Bay by inviting the relevant Chinese general to meet him in a box at Ascot Races. ‘I passed a very pleasant five minutes with him and off I went,’ Young said. The general was able to report back that he had ‘met’ the trade secretary, while Young could claim that their ‘chance encounter’ did not breach the sanctions. As Young put it, ‘Everything was plain sailing from then on.’

Soon after his appointment as governor, Patten had been invited to lunch at Cable and Wireless, where Young and his colleagues had put their case for accommodating China in the interests of British industry. According to Young, they went out of their way to tell Patten how things should be done in private rather than in public, and how ‘face’ was very important. Patten did not seem overly impressed, and made it clear, Young says, that he was going to ‘look at this with different eyes’. Afterwards Young recalls turning to a colleague and saying of Patten’s appointment: ‘I’m very worried. I am not sure this is going to be such a good idea.’

Young’s doubts turned to dismay when he heard that Patten had decided to forgo the governor’s plumed hat and official dress.

You see, the governor is not an elected individual. The governor should be an aloof person who represents authority . . . Chris behaved as if he was canvassing for votes . . . you know, going round and kissing babies . . . I thought it demeaned the position of governor. I was concerned at his whole style . . . it is not the way to deal with the Beijing leadership where, in my book, you should say everything to them privately and agree what you’re going to say publicly. It’s not kowtowing to Beijing; it’s simply the best way of getting agreement out of them.

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