LOS ANGELES — Donald Tsang, the executive leader of Hong Kong, recently apologized to his good citizens for something he said he didn't really mean. But the people of Hong Kong said they thought they heard it right the first time: that he believed the territory's rapid democratization, which many people say they want, could produce chaos.
Tsang replied, in effect: I didn't mean to misspeak, but if I made you angry I am truly sorry.
Such an apology was not unusual in Asia. This is a part of the world where prominent political figures seem to be apologizing almost every other month. This is to distinguish Asia from America, where almost no one ever admits a mistake and where many who are clearly in error remain firmly in denial.