THREE years ago, Governor Chris Patten set out what he wanted to achieve in his maiden policy address: 'Our Next Five Years: The Agenda for Hong Kong.' 'My goal is simply this - to safeguard Hong Kong's way of life,' he said.
More specifically, he laid down plans on how to continue the territory's economic success, maintain individual liberty, care for those in need, uphold the rule of law and widen democracy.
Carrying his bold political blueprint, he embarked on a mission to Beijing.
He tried to 'push forward the process of trust' and have a 'frank discussion of mutual difficulties in order to achieve solutions which reflect our common goals'.
What happened after his first, and so far only, trip to Beijing is well known.
It set the stage for a long tussle between the two sovereigns over transitional issues affecting the territory, all at the expense of the six million people who live here.
With the conclusion of the Legco elections that put an end to the bitter row over political reform, the series of top-level meetings between Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen and his British hosts in London on Tuesday will likely lead to a new phase in the transition to mainland rule.
