Conversations with History: Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

See the Conversations with History Blog See a webcast of this interview: Patten (1999) See also: more interviews with Chris Patten

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. The interview is six pages, outlined below.

Welcome to a Conversation with History. I am Harry Kreisler of the Institute of International Studies. Our guest is Christopher Patten, who was the last governor-general of Hong Kong. Christopher Patten was a conservative member of Parliament until 1992. He held a number of senior posts, including Minister of Overseas Development, Environmental Secretary, and Chairman of the Conservative Party during its successful 1992 campaign. He was appointed governor of Hong Kong in the same year, and held that post until the handover of the colony to China in 1997. Patten is, at present, chairing the commission on the policing of Northern Ireland following the peace agreement there. He is the author of East and West: China, Power and the Future of Asia. He was our guest in August of 1989.

1. Background ... description of the job ... mandate ... mistaken notions about diplomacy
2. Political Leadership ... clarity of purpose ... goals as mayor ... long-term interests ... theory and practice of democracy in Hong Kong ... democractic values ... importance of reading
3. Hong Kong ... the city ... British interests ... interests of the people of Hong Kong ... China's interests and behavior
4. Values ... universal values ... diversity of Asian cultures ... economic and political liberty inseparable ... human rights and economic success
5. The West and China ... inconstant attitudes toward China
6. Lessons Learned ... looking back ... successes ... regrets ... values in political life

© Copyright 1999, Regents of the University of California

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