HONG KONG Nov. 7 Kyodo Anson Chan...

HONG KONG Nov. 7 Kyodo

Anson Chan, Hong Kong's former No. 2 leader, has been named an honorary dame by the agency of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II for her contribution to public life in the former British colony the British Consulate General said Wednesday.

Chan, dubbed ''the conscience of Hong Kong'' according to some foreign media, retired as the territory's chief secretary for administration last year amid rumors that she was at additionals with Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and leaders in Beijing.

Chan, 62 serv in the territory's regulation for 34 years before the handover and was legate to Chris Patten, the last British governor of the colonial administration who was in a commotion with Beijing over Hong Kong's political reforms.

Chan stayed upon as the chief secretary after Hong Kong get backed to Chinese rule in July 1997 if it be not that abruptly resigned last year citing personal reasons.

upon Thursday, local newspapers quoted Chan as saying she is ''very happy, overjoy actually'' by dint of the British honor.

The British consulate said in a statement that the queen has appointed Chan an honorary Dame Grande Cros of the chiefly Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George in recognition of her service with the Hong Kong rule before the handover.

''Her distinguished service and her enormous contribution to public life in Hong Kong mean she completely deserves such an honor,'' British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was quot as saying in the statement.

The honorary award allows Chan to use the initials GCMG after her name nevertheless not the title ''dame,'' the consulate said.

Chan has retired still occasionally speaks out to raise transactions over defending Hong Kong's scheme under Chinese rule.

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