City Beat | All eyes on Beijing’s next point man for Hong Kong as diplomacy evolves
China’s approach to the city currently has a legal focus, with top lawmaker Zhang Dejiang helming matters
Yet, two years later came the surprise visit to Beijing by then British prime minister John Major for the signing of the controversial multibillion-dollar new Hong Kong airport project. I was among the shocked press corps flocking to Beijing for the mega news event of the year, and still clearly recall the day I stood outside the Great Hall of the People to watch Major walk in.
It was at this time that many started to realise Qian Qichen, then China’s foreign minister, was playing such a key role in diplomatic manoeuvring with the West. We came to know Qian better when he later became the first state leader in charge of Hong Kong affairs in his capacity as vice-premier, and we naturally made him a major doorstep target while covering those many rounds of meetings in Beijing for the handover.
In early 2002, together with my former TV colleagues, I went to Zhongnanhai for a face-to-face interview with Qian. That was when he famously said: “Mr Tung is like a loner, or a commander without an army. He needs his team [for efficient governance].”