LETTER: Britain's role in her territories
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr Neville Maxwell
Sir: British journalists, including your own, are propagating a myth about Hong Kong - that is, as Raymond Whitaker put it ("Imperial relics cling to British rule", 14 August), Britain's "attempts to entrench the rule of law and a measure of democracy have infuriated the Communist leadership in Peking". In 1984, Britain began its belated attempts to introduce a measure of democracy in Hong Kong and to entrench the rule of law - and succeeded in doing so, with the full agreement of the Chinese government.
What "infuriated" Peking was Governor Chris Patten's action in unilaterally extending the "measure of democracy" that had been agreed, and formalised in a treaty, without consulting China about his intended constitutional changes. Mr Patten deliberately challenged Peking, breaking Britain's treaty commitment to consultation in doing so, and has paid the price in his own increasing irrelevance.
Yours faithfully,
Neville Maxwell
Oxford
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments