Q.
Wasn't the alternative to kowtow to use the language that David
Howell used to kowtow to China, after all we do still run Hong
Kong.
-
Hold on, kowtow. The Chinese would say we've signed an agreement with you the British Government. We've lodged it at the United
Nations. All we want to do is stick to that agreement. The
Chinese do stick to their agreements. I don't doubt Chris
Patten's good intentions but you know the road to hell is paved with good intentions and I think that it is
Mr Patten who has to find the way out of this scenario and not
the Chinese.
Q
So he's been precipitate, he's rushed at it, bull at a gate and
all that?
A
Well, he's no experience of dealing with the Chinese and I think
that the Chinese play things long and they stick to their
agreements. He has broken that agreement. There is little
doubt in my mind or those who've studied it and this sort of
publish and be damned attitude to these proposals I think is
very unfortunate for the people of Hong Kong. They are the ones
who are going to suffer. It's not the people of China who are
going to suffer and it's certainly not of course the people of
Britain. He is really gambling with the future stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and I don't really think that there is much to be gained because I repeat David Howell's words,
democracy is on its way to Hong Kong.