Our Brother,
Who art in Beijing,
Xiao Ping be thy name,
United Kingdom gone,
Thy will be done, in Hong Kong,
As it is in China.
Give us this day,
Our daily bet,
And forgive us,
Our speculations,
As we forgive those,
Who speculate against us.
Lead us not,
Into Communism,
But deliver us,
From gweilos.
For this is The Sovereignty,
The Power of Authority,
Forever and ever,
Chow Mein.

Lessons Of The Past On Hong Kong:

Sir, in your leading article, "Midnight Chimes" (December 24), you rightly present the termination of the Legislative Council and the setting up of the provisional legislature as a serious setback to democracy in Hong Kong. But, you omit to mention the cause, namely the British attempt since 1992 to impose unilateral electoral changes.

We had repeated Chinese warnings, going back over the years, of what would happen if we took that course. They (the warnings) were disregarded. In consequence, instead of a through train for an elected legislature, as was agreed with China before 1992, we have a Chinese- appointed body. The provisional legislature is no isolated Chinese act, but the Patten Policy come home to roost.

We cannot hope to develop sensible policies towards China and Hong Kong in the future if we refuse to face the facts of the past.

Yours faithfully, Sir Percy Cradock Reform Club, Pall Mall, SW1

The London Times, December 27, 1996.