Chris Patten, former British Governor of Hong Kong, shares insights on his decision to accept the role, challenges faced during the handover to China, reflections on political shifts, Tiananmen Square aftermath, and the influence of Catholic faith in Hong Kong.
Chris Patten accepted the post of Governor of Hong Kong despite losing his parliamentary seat, considering it one of the best decisions in his career.
Handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997 posed moral and political challenges for both British and Chinese, reflecting a significant departure from China's governance.
Deep dives
Chris Patton's Distinguished Career
Chris Patton has had a remarkable and diverse career in politics, academia, and diplomacy. He served as the last governor of Hong Kong and is currently the Chancellor of the University of Oxford. Despite losing his own parliamentary seat, he accepted the Prime Minister's offer to become the Governor of Hong Kong, a decision he considers one of the best in his career.
The Handover of Hong Kong to China
Chris Patton discusses the unique circumstances surrounding the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. He explains that Hong Kong was acquired by the British through the Opium Wars and held on a lease for 99 years. The handover posed moral and political challenges for both the British and the Chinese, as Hong Kong represented a significant departure from how China was governed.
Managing Relations with China and Hong Kong's Future
Chris Patton shares insights into managing relations with China and the challenges faced during his time in Hong Kong. He praises the Hong Kong civil service for their integrity and competence. He also discusses the misconceptions and hesitancies from some business and foreign office officials towards China, emphasizing the importance of standing up to bad behavior in other countries. Looking back, he acknowledges the uncertain future of Hong Kong, expressing difficulty in offering clear guidance to young people on whether they should return to Hong Kong or not.
Chris Patten has a distinguished and expansive CV that ranges from high office in politics, to academia and diplomacy. He is currently Chancellor of the University of Oxford but he is perhaps more famous for being the last British Governor of Hong Kong. He discusses that unique period in history and why he decided to accept the post of governor of Hong Kong, the challenges he faced and memories of that time and his concern for the future of Hong Kong.