Conversations with History: Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

See the Conversations with History Blog See a webcast of this interview: Chan

This interview is part of the Institute's "Conversations with History" series, and uses Internet technology to share with the public Berkeley's distinction as a global forum for ideas.

Welcome to a "Conversation on International Affairs." I'm Harry Kreisler of the Institute of International Studies. Our distinguished guest today is Dr. Anson Chan of Hong Kong. A career public servant, she is the Chief Secretary of the Hong Kong government. In that position she is a principal advisor to the Chief Executive, and head of Hong Kong's 190,000-member civil service. Dr. Chan is the first woman, and the first person of Chinese ancestry, to hold that position.

1. Background ... career choice ... family background: mother
2. The Role of the Civil Service in a Market Economy ... goals ... leadership ... morale in the transition
3. Freedom of Information ... role of the press ... public education ... building public support for the public sector
4. Hong Kong after 1997 ... prerequisites for Hong Kong's success ... Chinese interests ... mobilizing support in the West ... continuous dialogue
5. Negotiating with China ... building the new airport ... navigating complex relations
6. Conclusion ... a vision for Hong Kong's future ... advice to students

© Copyright 1997, Regents of the University of California

Photos by S. Beth Atkin. Site questions: Email iis_webmgr at berkeley.edu.