31.
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"But Hong Kong has been promised that its government will develop so that that can happen one day, a day I hope I shall see and a day that I shall be delighted to put down to China's credit and to the credit of those in this territory who have stood up bravely for the people of Hong Kong," said Mr Patten.
His anxiety is: not that the community's autonomy would be usurped by Peking, but that it could be given away bit by bit by some people in Hong Kong.
"We all know that over the last couple of years we have seen decisions, taken in good faith by the Government of Hong Kong, appealed surreptitiously to Peking decisions taken in the interests of the whole community lobbied against behind closed doors by those whose personal interests may have been adversely affected," he said.
Mr Patten said that was damaging to Hong Kong because it drew Chinese officials into matters which should fall squarely within the autonomy of the territory.
"If we in Hong Kong want our autonomy, then it needs to be defended and asserted by everyone here -- by businessmen, politicians, journalists, academics and other community leaders, as well as by public servants," he said.
The truth which more than anything else gave him confidence in Hong Kong is: the qualities, the beliefs, the ideals that have made Hong Kong's present will still be here to shape Hong Kong's future, said the Governor.
End