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The Governor's "Letter to Hong Kong"

Following is the full text of the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten's broadcast on Radio Television Hong Kong's "Letter to Hong Kong" today (Sunday):

Last week was an important one for Hong Kong. Important. Historic. Moving.

We commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of Hong Kong.

Was that an event to mark? To remember?

Some people say not. Forget the past, they say. Don't look back. Get on with building the future.

I don't agree.

Those who made our past, made our present and our future, too. They deserve to be remembered. And thanked.

We can learn from them, as well. Remember what they did. Why they did it. That can give us a greater sense of direction - and a greater sense of our duties and responsibilities - today.

We shouldn't seek to dwell in the past, in the twilight world of memories. But we certainly shouldn't forget.

And what were we remembering?

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Well, the heroism for a start of those who died in the defence and liberation of Hong Kong. Young. Old. Servicemen and women. Civilians.

We were remembering those from all over the world - Britain, Canada, India, Australia as well as those from home who died for freedom.

We remembered the miseries the whole community suffered during the War. Those interned and those outside the camps. The internees at Argyle Street and Stanley, North Point and Sham Shui Po. Those who died of starvation. Those who were deported. Those whose villages in the New Territories were flattened. Those who had to burn school books and furniture to cook and stay warm in winter.

And last we remembered those who sailed to Hong Kong to liberate us, and stayed to help begin the job of rebuilding Hong Kong.