HONG KONG: HANDOVER TO CHINA: CHRIS PATTEN BIDS FAREWELL

(30 Jun 1997) English/Nat
The last day of British rule in China...Governor Chris Patten said an emotional farewell, joined by Prince Charles and British PM Tony Blair.
British rule over Hong Kong has ended- Governor Chris Patten has left his residence for the last time and Prince Charles took the salute as the British flag was finally lowered.
At the stroke of midnight (local time) China's army deployed throughout the city and China's rule over the former British colony has already begun.
The last dawn of an era fades into history.
When the sun rises over Hong Kong again, the former British colony will be under Chinese rule.
The flag of Britain was first raised here 156 years ago by Royal Naval officers who scrambled ashore to claim Hong Kong for Queen and country.
A century and a half later, many Hong Kong residents queued for hours just to get the post office stamp of the British Crown on their mail. Like so much of what is being done here today it will be for the last time.
The staff of Government House who have taken care of Governor Chris Patten for the last five years gathered to bid him farewell.
The Pattens have lived in the house with their youngest daughter and two dogs.
Their other two daughters have visited for holidays and have spent the last few days celebrating the final days of British rule in Hong Kong with their parents.
In a final symbolic ritual the Governor's standard was lowered from the portico of Government House and presented to him as a memento.
During this part of the ceremony, Patten's favourite tune ' Highland Cathedral' was played.
After getting into his Rolls Royce the governor drove three times around the circular driveway - a Chinese tradition meaning he will return.
Later Patten, Prince Charles and Britain's Prime Minister, Tony Blair attended the farewell ceremony for the outgoing administration.
The lavish one-and-a-half-hour ceremony was held at East Tamar, the former Royal Navy base on Hong Kong island.
Around 10-thousand spectators turned out in torrential rain to watch the parades.
Patten was confident that Hong Kong would continue to be a success.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
\"History is not just a matter of dates. What makes history is what comes before and what comes after the dates that we all remember. The story of this great story is about the years before this night and the years of success that will surely follow it.\"
SUPER CAPTION: Chris Patten, outgoing British Governor
Then it was a final beating of the retreat with Black Watch regiment before the Union Jack and Hong Kong's own flag were lowered for the last time.
Patten, in his last few moments as governor, bid Hong Kong's future, its children, a final farewell.
The final setting was the royal yacht Britannia, soon to be decommissioned after more than 50 years of service.
A band struck up on the quayside and the governor left Hong Kong, his job done.
It was an emotional occasion which took its toll on many people, not least Patten's three daughters.
Britannia then set off for the long voyage home leaving behind a former colony and a new province with an uncertain future.

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