Source:
https://scmp.com/article/492246/patten-stresses-need-put-hk-first

Patten stresses need to put HK first

The former governor says new leader should worry about the city, not Beijing

Tung Chee-hwa's replacement should first and foremost be a champion of Hong Kong's interests, with Beijing's desires down the list of priorities, Hong Kong's last governor Chris Patten said yesterday.

'Hong Kong's leader should be Hong Kong's representative, not Beijing's representative,' he said.

The Tung administration has been widely criticised over the past seven years, accused among other things of kowtowing to the central government and primarily focusing on the promotion of Beijing's political aspirations.

Mr Patten said he hoped that the recent leadership debacle would not delay political reform in Hong Kong or hamper the pro-democracy movement.

'Hong Kong people are mature enough to play a large part in running their own affairs,' he said, adding that he thought extensive political reform was overdue.

'You cannot have an open economy without political and social consequences. Hong Kong people have always had a considerable sense of citizenry, and that is part of what makes Hong Kong special. While it is not democratic, it is still free. I hope Beijing will realise that Hong Kong is a huge asset.'

Referring to the prolonged official silence before Mr Tung's resignation was announced, Mr Patten said: 'In the future I hope there will be more transparency.'

He said the saga surrounding Mr Tung's departure was probably the result of 'an early leak that they did not want to get out ... anyone with any sense of PR would not want to have rumours like that circulating for so long'.

He declined to comment on Mr Tung's political performance, saying it was inappropriate.

Mr Patten said Mr Tung had been at the helm during some exceptionally difficult times, notably during the Asian financial crisis and the Sars outbreak, but he had always displayed a great sense of public service.

Trying to implement Beijing's will and at the same time meet the expectations of the Hong Kong people was always going to be a very difficult job, he said, but added it was also the most exciting job on the planet.

He described Chief Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen as an extremely good and popular official, saying he would do very well if appointed to the top post. Mr Patten would not comment on other possible contenders for the job. 'And no, Beijing has not contacted me about the possibility of taking up the role again,' he joked. 'And nor do I anticipate they will.'

Mr Patten was speaking from Shanghai where he took part in a live broadcast of the BBC's political debate programme Question Time last night.

He believes societal changes are taking place in China that will gradually have a positive impact both in Hong Kong and on the mainland.

'This programme demonstrates the changes that are happening here, even if people think they are too slow.'