People

8220;I wonder whether it is a deep-rooted prejudice against China plus Western-type megalomania or his political failure that has fuelled his hatred towards China. Apparently he is not satisfied with the distrust he sowed between theChinese and British governments in the days prior to the handover of Hong Kong,8221; the paper said.

But it said Patten could no longer affect relations between China and Britain, following the recent visit to China by British Prime Minister Tony Blair during which a 8220;comprehensive partnership8221; between the two sides was announced.

Patten8217;s book was 8220;merely a portrait of a narrow-minded retired politician who Vents his spleen over those who oppose his perverse actions,8221; the China Daily said.

East Meets West covers Patten8217;s days in Hong Kong as the last governor when he had a stormy relationship with Beijing leading up to the ex-colony8217;s reversion to Chinese sovereignty in July last year.

Vain Damme

Jean-Claude Van Damme won his nickname of the Muscles from Brussels by demolishing evil-doers in Hollywood movies, but his attempt to woo a woman photographer in Sydney went down like a sack of potatoes.

Freelance photographer Virginia Starr, a mother of three, said she was shockedwhen the Belgian-born Van Damme kissed her while visiting The Cave nightclub at Sydney8217;s Star City Casino.

8220;He stunned me,8221; she said. 8220;He didn8217;t talk to me. He just walked straight up to me and did that kissed me when I was photographing him8230;it8217;s not normal behaviour. He grabbed me by the head and then, suddenly, a big tongue kiss.8221; Van Damme arrived at nightclub before midnight on Thursday after celebrating his 38th birthday at Planet Hollywood in Sydney.

A receptionist, who asked not to be named, said Van Damme approached many women and some were receptive to his attentions while others were not. 8220;He was there to party,8221; he said. 8220;The same thing happened when he was here with Bruce Willis and Charlie Sheen last year and it8217;s kind of expected now.8221; Another woman also said Van Damme tried to kiss her, but she pushed him away.

Manila anger

The Malaysian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Philippine ambassador in Kuala Lumpur over the visit to Manila by the daughter of detainedMalaysian ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, a report said.

Ambassador Jose Brillantes was called to explain the presence of Nurul Izzah Anwar who met with Philippine President Joseph Estrada, the Philippine Daily Inquirer said quoting foreign undersecretary Lauro Baja.

Baja said Manila was still awaiting a report on the meeting. It was the second time Brillantes had been summoned by the ministry since last week. Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs officials could not confirm the report. Baja could not be reached for comment.

During his meeting with Anwar8217;s daughter in his home on Thursday, Estrada told Nurul to tell her father, who faces five charges of corruption and five of sodomy, to 8220;remain unwavering in his fight8221;.

Estrada said his comments reflected his personal feelings and not the official Government position. The Philippine President, who has said he considers Anwar a friend, has said he is considering not attending the APEC summit in Kuala Lumpur this November over the treatment ofAnwar. Anwar8217;s 17-year-old daughter has reportedly been acting as her family8217;s ambassador with trips overseas to speak to leaders.

Solo Spice

Four months after quitting the Spice Girls, Geri Halliwell has signed a solo record deal worth 3.4 million with Chrysalis Records, it was reported on Friday.

The Sun tabloid said that Halliwell, known as Ginger when she was in the Spice Girls fivesome, has signed a deal for three albums which would be announced next week. The musician left the Spice Girls, who are signed up with Virgin Records, in June.