BBC documentary (Part three of a five part series) about Chris Patten, the popular last Governor of Hong Kong before Hong Kong reverted back to Chinese rule, and his democratic reforms which were undone by China.
He was quite possibly the first and only leader Hong Kong ever had (with the possible exception of Sir Murray Maclehose) that put Hong Kong's interests above that of her colonial masters, be that China, Japan or Britain.
Since then the Hong Kong people have become more politically embolden, with 500,000 people marching in 2003 calling for full universal suffrage for the Chief Executive and the resignation of Patten's successor Tung Chee-Wah after a series of spectacular policy failures.
Today, Mr. Patten (who left Hong Kong with and %80 approval rating), is welcomed back to Hong Kong with great enthusiasm by the people whenever he returns to visit.
People in HK remember British rule (at least the last 30 years of it) fondly. China shuns reform as it truly believes that an authoritarian government will prevent a Yugoslavia-like scenario. Independence for HK would have been the best option.
therepublicofHK 4 years ago