Governor Chris Patten

Patten Faces Final Questions

He made clear that he regretted failing to get assurances from China on the democratic future of the province. "What I would like to have done was under the circumstances impossible: to convince the leaders in Beijing that there was nothing to worry about in Hong Kong".

Britain's moral responsibility to Hong Kong, he said, would continue long after the handover on July 1. He called on Tony Blair's Labour Government to demonstrate those responsibilities in practical terms.

Chris Patten: I have some regrets...

Mr Patten received a mixture of praise for the openness he brought to Hong Kong's system of government and censure over the worsening of relations with Beijing that followed his introduction of greater democracy.

There was a relaxed end of term mood in the chamber as the governor defended his policies towards China and expressed optimism about Hong Kong's future.

He said he believed pluralism would be around in Hong Kong long after authoritarianism was forgotten about.

Question time

An independent legislator, Emily Lau, said local people felt resentful towards Britain for failing to protect their way of life. Mr Pattern acknowledged that handing over one of the freest societies in Asia to a country with a different concept of freedom, as he put it, did raise moral concerns.

Commenting on the new Labour Government, the Governor said he welcomed the new British government's emphasis on morality in its foreign policy statements. He hoped Britain would be able to demonstrate that its continuing moral responsibility for Hong Kong was real rather than sham.

Questions also touched on lighter subjects. Mr Patten, known as the 'Gourmet Governor' for his love of food was asked for his favourite culinary experience in Hong Kong.

"I have scaled some peaks in my eating in Hong Kong" he said, "I will long recall - as climbers recall scaling the north face of the Eiger - a meal at one of our most famous restaurants with Chancellor Kohl. All I can say is that he did not let Germany down."