XN000022-1993-05-04 — Page 31

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TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1993

In this era of gifted politicians, Mr. Patten

holds his own with a reputation as the most gifted

politician in Britain of his generation. He is the first

of that profession to govern Hong Kong, heretofore the

province of foreign minister professionals whose specialty

was tending to an uneasy but mutually profitable

coexistence with China to the north.

Mr. Patten changed the substance of politics in

Hong Kong. He took to the streets, shaking hands and

kissing babies, a technique he may have learned from

working on one of John Lindsay's New York mayoral

campaigns during his stint as a Coolidge traveling

scholar.

Since his first policy speech in Hong Kong in October, where he introduced political reforms providing

for more direct elections, Governor Patten has been on a

collision course with China. He introduced social welfare

and antipollution projects and instituted town hall meetings that would earn the applause of Mr. Perot but

have drawn boos from Beijing.

One purpose of Mr. Patten's visit is a

discussion of trade policy with the administration,

Members of Congress, and the business community, all with

a huge stake in the future of Hong Kong and China.

I am sure they will be listening eagerly to Mr.

Patten's remarks to this press club audience today.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable Christopher Patten,

Governor of Hong Kong.

(Applause.)

/THE RIGHT