The Hong Kong Diaries
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The Hong Kong Diaries
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Narrated by:
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Chris Patten
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By:
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Chris Patten
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
In June 1992, Chris Patten went to Hong Kong as the last British governor, to try to prepare it not—as other British colonies over the decades—for independence, but for handing back in 1997 to the Chinese, from whom most of its territory had been leased 99 years previously. Over the next five years, he kept this diary, which describes in detail how Hong Kong was run as a British colony and what happened as the handover approached. The book gives unprecedented insights into negotiating with the Chinese, about how the institutions of democracy in Hong Kong were (belatedly) strengthened and how Patten sought to ensure that a strong degree of self-government would continue after 1997. Unexpectedly, his opponents included not only the Chinese themselves, but some British businessmen and civil service mandarins upset by Patten's efforts, for whom political freedom and the rule of law in Hong Kong seemed less important than keeping on the right side of Beijing. The book concludes with an account of what has happened in Hong Kong since the handover, a powerful assessment of recent events and Patten's reflections on how to deal with China—then and now.
©2022 Chris Patten (P)2022 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Hong Kong Diaries
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. G. Moynihan
- 29-07-22
Stunning
Any book narrated by the author is always the better for it, as the emphasis is in the right places and the emotions come through with clarity that cannot be matched, this book is a great example of this. Chris Patten is one of the few decent and honest politicians around and the present Tory party is in a much worse state than it would be had he remained or returned to UK Politics. The UK’s loss was, I feel Hong Kong’s gain although as he frequently said, this belief is for Hong Kongers to pronounce on. A great book, very emotional and thought provoking.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jochem van den Berge
- 21-09-23
A fascinating insight into the last years of Hong Kong before the handover
The book starts out a bit slow and the amount of people and bodies can be confusing at first but over time the author makes you get to know all of them intimately and you keep on listening to discover how the relations between Hong Kong, the British government and China develop. It's also fascinating (and depressing) to note that a lot of the things we saw China do to Hong Kong later were already visible before the handover but were unfortunately glossed over or ignored. It makes you wonder how it could have gone if things would have been handled differently.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ramin
- 17-08-23
Enthralling!
It’s difficult not to admire his integrity, decency and intellect. It’s a fascinating read I’d recommend to anyone interested in history and politics.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Richard Wolfe
- 23-09-22
An excellent account and historical record
A superb recollection by the last Governor of Hong Kong. Full of insight, often witty, it's a very personal story of a very important political period for Hong Kong, China and the UK. A great listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Marcus Dixon
- 24-07-22
Fascinating!
Fascinating insight into Hong Kong's politics of the 90s. It helps that I wholeheartedly agree with and admire Chris Patten. But even if you don't, he's undoubtedly a witty and engaging narrator. The broader political implications of what he covers are relevent not just for Hong Kong, but for how the West should engage China and the CCP now and in the future.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Robert Simpson
- 28-09-22
Emotional, enlightening, humorous & poignant.
I found it honest, heartfelt, funny, enlightening and sad. Chris was a wonderful last governer of British Hong Kong who genuinely cared for its citizens and their democratic rights. Both Chris and Hong Kong were let down by the greed, ignorance and cowardice of some those around him.
It shocked and appalled me to learn about those individuals who wanted to hand Hong Kong over to the CCP dead, rather than alive just so they could cut a better business deal in the mainland, willfully ignoring the fact that the PRC is the enemy of free enterprise, and democracy is the system in which free trade flourishes.
A must read for anyone who can't understand why we need to stand up to the CCP.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Parissa
- 28-11-23
Extremely interesting
This is a very interesting book, peppered with Chris Patten’s wit and wisdom. Whether one agrees with his vision or not, Chris Patten comes across as a determined man of principle, deeply caring of the fate of Hong Kong and its people. It is comforting to realise that some politicians have acted with integrity, a trait sadly lacking in the Conservative party’s more recent crop of politicians.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Paul Hennigan
- 08-05-24
Thoroughly enjoyable
Really enjoyable and surprisingly touching diary. I loved every bit of it. Patten did the end of the British Empire some real service, to the UK but mostly to HK.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 02-10-22
Very interesting and topical given HK developments
I knew who Chris Patten was and at a high level his role as the last governor of HK, but this book really brought to life the challenges faced by the British, negotiating with the ruthless Chinese government and maintaining post-handover civil rights and liberty for the prosperous residents who were mostly exiled from China in the first place.
I loved how honest Chris is in these diaries about various political figures on both sides, his mix of self-depreciating humour and intelligent negotiating style and strategic thinking, coupled with being the right person for the job at just the right time as the Conservative imploded back in the UK.
I recommend this book highly, it’s sobering to think of what the people of HK are since being subject to 25 years later, and sad to think how a once awesome place is gradually fading away - such a shame it had to be given back!
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 27-01-23
Pompous delivery and much too complicated.
Probably best recommended to fellow civil servants rather than ordinary folk.
Didn’t get very far into this book before bored and unimpressed.
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