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My regrets over Hong Kong by Thatcher

(Sunday Telegraph)
Updated: 2007-06-15 10:53

Lady Thatcher has spoken publicly for the first time of her regret at the "impossible" situation she faced while trying to negotiate the handover of Hong Kong to China.

In her first interview for almost five years, the former prime minister has revealed her disappointment at failing to persuade Deng Xiaoping, the former Chinese premier, to let Britain extend its lease on the colony.

Former Chinese premier Deng Xiaoping, left, meets with former British prime ministe, Lady Thatcher, right, in Beijing, December 24, 1982. (file)

In a rare dropping of her guard, she admits to feeling "sad" when, seven years after she had left office in 1990, Britain's and Hong Kong's 145-year relationship ended, bringing down the final curtain on the British Empire.

"What I wanted was a continuation of British administration," she says in the radio interview, to be broadcast later this month.

"But when this proved impossible, I saw the opportunity to preserve most of what was unique to Hong Kong through applying Mr Deng's [one country, two systems] idea to our circumstances."

The 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong handover falls on June 30. It remains arguably the most controversial chapter in Britain's post-war colonial history.

During the 1997 handover ceremony, which took place in a tropical downpour, the last governor, Chris Patten, struggled to suppress his tears as he stood beside his weeping daughters.

Speaking ahead of the 10th anniversary, Lady Thatcher admits to having doubts about the "one country, two systems" formula, where the Chinese government granted Hong Kong a high degree of economic and social autonomy. It also agreed to preserve its capitalist identity for 50 years.

Officially, the territory is now part of China, which is responsible for its defence and foreign affairs. The arrangement will be reviewed in 2047.

"'One country, two systems' was developed some years earlier as an approach to the issue of Taiwan." Thatcher said, adding the practice at first did not seem to her as the way ahead for Hong Kong.

However, she goes on to share one of the bargaining tactics she employed during her time in office. "In fact, I complimented [Deng Xiaoping] on his brilliance. It's often a good idea to tell people with whom you negotiate that they were right all along."

Lady Thatcher, 81, was persuaded to give the interview by David Tang, the Hong Kong businessman. The pair are long-standing friends.

At one point during the interview, Mr Tang asks Lady Thatcher if he is right in thinking she has not been back to Hong Kong since 1997. "You're quite right," she confirms emphatically.

He asks if she can recall how heavily it was raining during the handover ceremony. "Yes," she jokes. "I was very disappointed. We have enough [rain] in Britain without going abroad for it."

She goes on to say: "I was very sad but one didn't want to start intruding again at that time. People wouldn't have liked it, and quite understandably they wouldn't."

In 2002 Lady Thatcher was advised by doctors to cease all public -speaking engagements for the sake of her health. She has suffered -several small strokes.

Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, David Tang said "I have always adored Lady Thatcher. There was no nonsense about her. After she left No 10, she mellowed, but remained confident with her views. And she was always kind, never patronising, and most of all, she makes me laugh. She looked very well at her home when I saw her for the interview.

"I asked if she was sad flying out of Hong Kong that evening after the ceremony. She confessed she was. But she realised that 'the Brits should not hang around' and must let the Chinese get on with it."

Other interviewees include Lord Patten, who speaks of his continuing admiration for the Hong Kong people, and Ronnie Arculli, former chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Mr Tang was commissioned by the BBC to present the documentary, called Hong Kong: A Decade of Change, for Radio 4. It will be broadcast on June 19. In it, he explores the island's cultural developments since British rule ended.

Despite initial economic turbulence, which has since subsided, Hong Kong as it was a decade ago remains largely intact. Anson Chan, the former Chief Secretary, said: "The political transition went well. Hong Kong wasn't swallowed up by mainland China; the People's Liberation Army wasn't all over the place - it still is conspicuous by its absence."