CONSIDERING the difficulty of his position, and the enmity he has aroused in Beijing and among Hongkong's business elite, the Governor, Mr Chris Patten retains remarkable personal support among the people of Hongkong. Forty-four per cent of respondents in our latest public opinion survey said they would like to see him remain in office until 1997. This indicates a strong bedrock of support that many democratically elected leaders in other places would envy.
It is a popularity not necessarily reflected in total support for e However, for the majority this is a side issue. The crucial issue is secrecy. The consensus is that Britain and China must not be allowed to strike secret deals over Hongkong's future as they have in the past. The fact that almost 70 per cent find secrecy unacceptable as opposed to only 30 per cent who insist on full status for Hongkong team members suggests this is the key concern for locals. In other words, it does not matter who takes part in the talks. It matters more that decisions affecting the future of Hongkong are held in the open and that Hongkong people are fully consulted. Anything less would not only be totally unacceptable but would make a sham of the promise of Hongkong people ruling Hongkong.