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22 Loss of Sir Edward Youde C i n Friday, 6 December 1986, a fine peaceful morning in early J winter , Emily Lau, a journalist and contributor to the Far J Eastern Economic Review an d late r a popularl y electe d Legislative Councillor known for her sharp and wide-ranging criticism, had com e to breakfast a t Victoria House. We were sitting looking out across the harbour quietly chatting about current affair s when th e phon e rang . M y personal assistan t aske d m e t o com e t o th e office immediately as news had come that Sir Edward Youde, who was on a visit to Beijing, had died in his sleep at the residence of the Ambassador, Sir Richard Evans. The Governo r ha d bee n accompanyin g a trad e missio n an d ha d completed a last da y o f talk s wit h Zho u Na n an d L i Hou a t th e Hon g Kong and Macao office. H e had died peacefully i n his sleep, to be foun d in the early morning by his personal assistant, Richard Hoare. Lady Youde and Dame Lydia Dunn were visiting Xian and were flown back to Beijing. The Ambassador moved to clear away barriers of regulations to allow Sir Edward t o cross international boundaries an d be brought back t o Hon g Kong. I n th e absenc e o f th e Governo r i n Beijin g I was alread y Actin g Governor; suddenly the sole responsibility as Governor was mine. Sir Edwar d wa s no t supporte d b y a political part y an d a gaggl e o f politicians. He stood alone. Now he was lost to Hong Kong in the mids t of delicate and ongoing discussions with China about the Basic Law, about the development o f the political structure, abou t passports an d abou t a 22 Loss of Sir Edward Youde n Friday, 6 December 1986, a fine peaceful morning in early winter, Emily Lau, a journalist and contributor to the Far Eastern Economic Review and later a popularly elected Legislative Councillor known for hersharp and wide-ranging criticism, had come to breakfast at Victoria House. We were sitting looking out across the harbour quietly chatting about current affairs when the phone rang. My personal assistant asked me to come to the office immediately as news had come that Sir Edward Youde, who was on a visit to Beijing, had died in his sleep at the residence of the Ambassador, Sir Richard Evans. The Governor had been accompanying a trade mission and had completed a last day of talks with Zhou Nan and Li Hou at the Hong Kong and Macao office. He had died peacefully in his sleep, to be found in the early morning by his personal assistant, Richard Hoare. Lady Youde and Dame Lydia Dunn were visiting Xian and were flown back to Beijing. The Ambassador moved to clear away barriers of regulations to allow Sir Edward to cross international boundaries and be brought back to Hong Kong. In the absence of the Governor in Beijing I was already Acting Governor; suddenly the sole responsibility as Governor was mine. Sir Edward was not supported by a political party and a gaggle of politicians. He stood alone. Now he was lost to Hong Kong in the midst ofdelicate and ongoing discussions with China about the Basic Law, about the development of the political structure, about passports and about a Feeling the Stones nuclear power plant being built on our doorstep. But Sir Edward's deat h meant muc h mor e tha n th e los s o f a quietl y determine d leader . I n hi s unassuming way he had identified with the people and was held in great affection b y them. This was demonstrated b y the crowds which greete d him whe n h e mad e hi s weekl y visit s t o housin g estates , hospital s an d schools. There was no one to step into his shoes; for that we would hav e to wait months. I was due to retire and meanwhile would have to keep up the momentum o f government . Executive Councillor s me t an d I told the m th e sad news . Sir Mar k Heath, a...

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