TIES THAT BAND
Mike Rowse, the first Western Hong Kong government official to take Chinese citizenship, is an enigma no more.
Anyone needing to know the role of the lone Western face moving and shaking with Beijing guests at Monday's handover anniversary needed only to glance at the label on his tie. It read: 'Capitalist Tool'.
Rumours that Rowse (above) had been issued the tie to calm any mainland politicos spooked by his presence, however, are unfounded. 'It was a present from [Forbes magazine editor-in-chief] Steve Forbes. I was given it after bringing the Forbes convention to Hong Kong,' he told SAR, adding: 'I got dressed in the dark.'
Asked how the tie had gone down with guests who included President Jiang Zemin, Rowse, the boss of Hong Kong Invest, laughed: 'This is one country two systems - I think it was felt that my tie was entirely consistent with the Basic Law.'
